Recent  Trends  and 
Present  Outlook 


of  the 


North  American 
Association  Brotherhood 


John  r.  Mott 


A Triennial  Review,  Presented  at  the  Conterence 
of  Employed  Officers  of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian 
Associations  of  the  United  States  and  Canada, 
Blue  Ridge,  North  Carolina,  May  27,  1924 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/recenttrendspresOOmott 


Recent  Trends  and  Present  Outlook  of  the 
North  American  Association  Brotherhood 

John  R.  Mott 

Since  the  time  three  years  ago  when  I reviewed  with  you  at 
Lake  Geneva  the  progress  and  state  of  our  common  work  at  home 
and  abroad,  it  has  been  my  opportunity,  in  the  pathway  of  the 
discharge  of  my  duties  as  your  representative  and  colleague, 
to  have  contacts  with  our  work  and  workers  on  four  Continents — 
America,  Europe,  Africa,  and  Asia,  both  in  the  Far  East  and  the 
Near  East.  This  has  afforded  me  a most  intimate  and  compre- 
hensive exposure  to  all  phases  of  this  vast  and  varied  ministry. 
Again  you  have  called  upon  me  to  present  a triennial  review,  and 
to  share  with  you  impressions  of  present  conditions  in  the  Broth- 
erhood and  the  outlook  for  the  coming  day.  Owing  to  time  limits 
it  will  be  impossible  to  do  more  than  afford  brief  glimpses  of 
different  phases  of  our  Movement.  Countless  developments  of 
real  significance  must  pass  wholly  unmentioned,  although  they  lie 
in  the  back  of  one’s  mind  and  necessarily  influence  one’s  opinions. 

Most  Difficult  Corner  Turned 

During  these  years  the  North  American  Associations  have  fast 
been  finding  themselves,  both  locally  and  nationally.  We  seem 
to  have  turned  our  most  difficult  corner.  On  every  hand  one 
finds  a revived  spirit,  an  improved  morale,  a more  buoyant  hope 
and  a more  triumphant  faith.  Without  doubt,  the  most  trying 
period  in  our  history  has  been  that  of  the  last  few  years.  In  com- 
mon with  all  Christian  and  other  altruistic  organizations,  the 
Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  has  continued  to  feel  the  ef- 
fects of  prevailing  unfavorable  economic  conditions,  and  of  the 
bafffingly  difficult  post-war  psychology.  In  the  economic  realm  it 
has  been  a period  of  unrest,  uncertainty,  and  contraction.  In  the 
mental  sphere  it  has  been  one  of  much  questioning,  of  penetrating 
criticism  of  the  existing  order,  and  of  much  pessimism.  All  this 
had  its  influence  on  Association  leaders,  members,  and  supporters ; 


and  much  dissatisfaction  has  been  expressed  at  one  time  or 
another  regarding  almost  every  aspect  of  our  work. 

Reverently  we  may  thank  God  that  these  days  are  over.  If 
the  Association  had  but  held  its  own,  it  would  have  meant  much ; 
but  it  has  done  vastly  more  than  this.  It  would  be  difficult  to 
name  another  organization  which  has  passed  through  this  ex- 
acting period  with  greater  steadiness.  The  attitude  of  many  who 
were  once  swayed  by  the  War  criticisms,  has  been  completely 
changed.  If  we  may  judge  from  the  results  in  current  financial 
campaigns  in  every  part  of  the  Continent,  the  Association  prob- 
ably has  ten  friends  today  where  it  had  one  before  the  War.  To 
our  dying  day  we  cannot  forget  the  marvellous  loyalty  of  literally 
multitudes  of  our  members  and  friends  in  the  darkest  and  most 
difficult  days.  What  Movement  has  a more  loyal  body  of  ad- 
herents? Yes,  the  Brotherhood  has  done  much  more  than  hold 
its  own.  It  has  moved  forward  in  the  face  of  unfriendly  criticism, 
of  difficult  competition  in  new  quarters,  and  of  other  adverse  in- 
fluences. The  explanation  lies  in  the  momentum  of  the  past,  in 
the  soundness  of  our  guiding  principles,  in  the  unfulfilled  provi- 
dential mission  of  the  Association,  and  above  all,  in  the  spiritual 
solidarity  of  the  Brotherhood.  Working  together  unitedly  we 
can  accomplish  any  task  we  undertake. 

Young  Men  of  Canada 

The  Canadian  Associations,  in  common  with  our  own,  and 
owing  to  the  operation  of  similar  causes,  have  faced  the  greatest 
concentration  of  difficulties  in  all  their  history.  As  in  the  life  of 
their  nation,  this  has  but  served  to  demonstrate  the  loyalty  of 
Association  members  and  supporters  to  their  principles  and,  like- 
wise, to  call  out  their  latent  strength.  During  the  three  years 
they  have  gone  through  the  trying  process  of  curtailment  of  work 
and  staff.  It  is  the  belief  of  their  leaders  that  they  have  now 
passed  the  dead  center.  The  able  Canadian  National  Council  have 
shown  their  capacity  to  bear  successfully  heavy  responsibility. 
The  Associations  themselves  have  shown  their  belief  iia  the  plan 
for  the  nationalization  of  the  work,  and  have  loyally  backed  the 


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Council.  They  have  begun  to  replace  men  who  were  given  up 
in  the  days  of  contraction.  There  has  been  an  increase  in  financial 
support.  On  the  whole,  the  local  Associations  are  in  better  condi- 
tion than  they  have  been  since  the  beginning  of  the  War,  and  this 
notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  financial  situation  in  Canada  has 
not  greatly  improved.  New  Associations  have  been  established  in 
a few  centers.  The  interest  and  cooperation  in  the  foreign  out- 
reach of  the  work  have  improved. 

The  State  Work 

We  are  glad  to  report  a much  more  favorable  showing  in  con- 
nection with  the  State  Work  throughout  the  country  than  was 
possible  three  years  ago.  It  has  been  my  opportunity  to  have 
personal  contacts  with  certain  aspects  of  the  State  Work  through 
visits  to  nearly  forty  states  during  the  past  two  or  three  years. 
A careful,  comparative  study  of  the  recent  reports  has  led  to  the 
conclusion  that  the  work  .of  at  least  thirty  of  the  state  or  inter- 
state areas  is  stronger,  and  in  only  three  states  does  it  seem  to  be 
weaker  than  it  was  three  years  ago.  In  the  remaining  few  states 
the  impression  is  that  the  State  Work  has  at  least  held  its  own, 
and  that,  when  all  difficulties  are  considered,  is  saying  a great  deal. 
The  three  weakest  points  in  the  State  Work  throughout  the  coun- 
try as  a whole  are  the  County  Work,  the  Student  Work,  and  the 
continued  high  costs  involved  in  the  securing  of  the  needed  funds 
for  the  conduct  of  the  work. 

Over  against  these  points  are  many  more  points  of  strength 
and  decided  encouragement.  The  state  organizations  have  been 
reorganizing  their  work,  adopting  constitutions  on  modern  lines, 
and  are  beginning  to  adapt  them  to  the  requirements  of  the  new 
national  Constitution.  There  is  a movement  toward  a truer 
democracy  in  the  reorganization  of  the  State  Associations.  There 
has  been  a healthy  contraction  from  the  post-war  inflation  which 
had  obtained  in  several  states.  Debts  have  been  considerably  re- 
duced and  in  certain  cases  the  property  interests  have  been 
strengthened.  For  example,  in  the  Eastern  Region,  the  property 
holdings  of  State  Committees  have  increased  from  $800,000  to  a 


round  $1,000,000.  Possibly  the  strongest  and  most  hopeful 
feature  of  the  state  organizations  across  the  continent — a work 
which  in  itself  would  justify  the  entire  expenditure 

devoted  to  State  Work — is  that  on  behalf  of  boys.  There  is  no 
more  fascinating  chapter  in  current  Association  history  than  that 
telling  of  the  spiritual  triumphs  in  connection  with  the  Boys’ 
Camps  and  Older  Boys’  Conferences.  The  Physical  Work  in  a 
number  of  the  states  has  been  greatly  strengthened.  Improved 
financial  support  is  being  given  by  local  Associations  to  the  State 
Committees.  Above  all,  there  are,  on  the  whole,  gratifying  co- 
operative relations  between  the  State  and  International  Com- 
mittees. 

The  Home  Work  of  the  International  Committee 

Coming  now  to  the  Home  Work  of  the  International  Commit- 
tee, recognition  should  first  be  made  of  the  great  contribution  of 
Mr.  Alfred  E.  Marling  during  his  Chairmanship  of  the  Interna- 
tional Committee.  The  twelve  years  of  his  incumbency  of  this  im- 
portant office  witnessed  an  unprecedented  expansion  of  the  North 
American  Association  Movement  not  only  in  the  United  States 
and  Canada,  but  also  throughout  Latin  America  and  Asia. 
This  period  in  the  life  of  the  Association  has  also  been  charac- 
terized by  a high  specialization  and  remarkable  intensive  develop- 
ment. The  call  upon  the  International  Committee,  as  the  servant  of 
the  Associations,  for  wise  leadership  in  all  this  vast  and  ceaseless 
activity,  greatly  increased  the  tasks  of  deliberation  and  adminis- 
tration. Mr.  Marling’s  wisdom  and  resourcefulness  were  ever  at 
the  service  of  the  Associations,  and  the  contribution  he  made  was 
of  inestimable  value.  The  North  American  Associations  were 
most  fortunate  in  the  choice  of  Mr.  James  M.  Speers  as  the  one 
to  administer  the  great  trust  laid  down  by  Mr.  Marling.  He 
brought  to  the  task  a rich  and  unique  experience  in  great  denomi- 
national and  interdenominational  enterprises,  and  an  intimate 
knowledge  of  the  work  at  home  and  abroad. 

The  International  Convention  held  at  Atlantic  City  is  regarded 
by  many  as  the  best  of  the  long  series  of  the  assemblies  of  the 
North  American  Brotherhood.  The  reason  for  this  was  not  so 


6 


much  the  large  and  representative  attendance,  as  the  thorough, 
preparatory  processes  of  the  democratic  Convention  Committee 
and  the  various  special  Commissions.  It  is  even  more  due  to  the 
scope  and  character  of  the  Convention  legislation  as  influenced 
by  the  unselfish  and  forward-looking  spirit  and  the  constructive 
ability  of  the  delegates.  The  presence  and  initiative  of  the  younger 
generation  blending  with  more  experienced  and  maturer  leader- 
ship gave  promise  for  the  future.  The  outstanding  act  of  the 
Convention,  which  in  itself  would  have  given  it  distinction,  was 
the  authorization  of  and  preparation  for  the  Constitutional  Con- 
vention. The  Atlantic  City  meeting,  like  its  predecessor  the 
Detroit  Convention,  gave  many  important  and  timely  mandates 
to  the  International  Committee  as  its  agent,  and  to  certain  special 
Commissions  which  were  set  up  for  much  needed  pieces  of  con- 
structive corporate  service.  These  instructions  have  necessarily 
occupied  not  a little  of  the  thought  and  time  of  the  Committee 
and  its  executive  officers  during  the  subsequent  months.  More- 
over, the  Committee  has  given  much  attention  to  the  improvement 
of  its  organization  and  methods  in  the  pathway  of  a special,  im- 
partial study  instituted  at  its  own  initiative. 

Service  to  City  Associations 

The  many  departments  and  bureaus  of  the  Committee  have 
continued  to  render  service  to  the  local  Associations  within  their 
respective  spheres  of  responsibility.  Contrary  to  the  impression 
that  obtains  in  certain  quarters,  the  larger  part,  possibly  as  much 
as  70%,  of  this  service,  is  that  given  to  the  general  or  city  Asso- 
ciations which  constitute  the  main  body  of  the  Association  Broth- 
erhood. It  needs  to  be  borne  in  mind  constantly  that  this  large 
volume  of  service  by  the  International  Committee  is  a specialized 
and  distributed  service,  not  a service  concentrated  under  one 
department  or  leadership.  It  would  be  most  inadequate  to  think 
of  the  services  rendered  the  city  Associations  by  the  so-called  City 
Department  as  the  main  service  rendered  this  important  field, 
although  the  character  and  quality  of  that  part  of  the  service  is  of 
the  utmost  value  and  has  met  with  the  highest  praise. 


7 


All  the  program  Departments  of  the  Committee — Physical, 
Educational,  Religious,  Community,  as  well  as  the  Industrial  and 
Boys’  Work — concern  themselves  chiefly  with  the  city  Associations. 
Moreover,  a much  larger  proportion  of  the  time  of  the  workers 
of  the  Transportation,  Student,  Colored,  and  Army  and  Navy 
Departments  is  spent  in  service  in  these  fields  than  is  generally 
realized.  Even  the  Town  and  Country  Department,  owing  to 
significant  and  encouraging  recent  developments,  is  concerning 
itself  now  as  never  before  with  the  city  Associations.  Admittedly, 
also,  the  principal  demands  for  the  highly  appreciated  services 
of  the  Bureaus  of  the  Committee,  such  as  Personnel,  Building, 
Financial  Service,  Records,  Information,  Association  Press,  and 
Association  Men — come  from  the  city  Associations,  and  to  them 
the  main  response  is  made.  It  is  interesting  to  note  in  this  con- 
nection that  the  regional  organization  in  recent  years  has  helped 
to  bring  these  varied  and  needed  services  of  the  International 
Committee  closer  to  the  local  Associations.  The  Regional  Execu- 
tive Secretaries  have  unquestionably  made  possible  wider,  more 
prompt,  and  more  intelligent  distribution  of  such  services,  and 
have  done  so  in  closer  and  more  effective  cooperation  with  the 
State  Committees. 

The  Regional  Plan 

The  Regional  Plan,  which  at  first  was  regarded  with  not  a 
little  questioning,  has  within  the  past  three  years  met  with  ever- 
growing favor  and  acceptance.  The  arguments  advanced  for  it 
have,  in  the  pathway  of  experience,  been  found  to  be  valid.  For 
example,  it  has  helped  to  develop  and  strengthen  State  Work.  It 
has  placed  at  the  disposal  of  leading  Associations,  and  other  situa- 
tions which  in  the  judgment  of  the  State  secretaries  concerned, 
presented  extraordinary  claims,  the  special  services  of  these  gen- 
eral executives  of  the  International  Committee  and  of  their 
specialist  colleagues.  It  has  made  known  to  the  international 
headquarters  and  organization,  as  never  before,  the  needs  and  de- 
sires of  the  Associations  and  State  Committees  of  the  various 
regions.  Moreover,  it  has  helped  to  make  known  to  these  Com- 
mittees and  Associations  the  services  which  the  International 


8 


Committee  is  prepared  to  render  to  the  regions.  It  has  coordinated 
most  helpfully  the  approaches  of  the  staff  of  International  Com- 
mittee experts  within  the  regions.  It  has  facilitated  desirable 
decentralization,  and  has  relieved  headquarters  of  many  of  the 
details  of  negotiation,  so  that  the  workers  there  are  able  to  devote 
themselves  more  fully  to  research,  to  program  making,  and  to  the 
rendering  of  specific  services  requested  by  the  Brotherhood. 
Thus  both  specialists  and  general  workers  have  been  able  to  spend 
much  more  time  during  the  past  year  rendering  services  on  the 
field  at  the  request  of  local  and  State  Associations  than  in  any 
preceding  year. 

The  City  Field 

Only  the  briefest  reference  can  be  made  to  conditions  and  de- 
velopments of  specific  groups  of  Associations  or  in  connection 
with  special  departments  and  phases  of  the  Association.  As  one 
fixes  attention  on  the  city  field  and  the  developments  of  the  past 
three  years,  there  is  much  to  give  encouragement  and  reassur- 
ance. A number  of  important  cities,  where  the  Association  work 
has  been  more  or  less  backward,  neglected,  and  seriously  handi- 
capped, have  "been  most  successfully  dealt  with.  This  includes 
some  of  the  key  cities  of  America  such  as  New  Orleans  and  St. 
Louis.  In  almost  every  important  city  field  where  the  Associa- 
tion was  already  well-established  and  influential,  the  Association 
has  expanded  its  service  to  the  young  men  and  boys  of  the 
community.  More  and  more  the  idea  of  studying  and  planning 
for  the  work  on  a community-wide  scale  is  spreading,  in  fact  it 
is  becoming  a controlling  principle  in  the  policy-shaping  of  pro- 
gressive Associations.  We  cannot  recall  a period  in  which  city 
Associations  have  made  more  adequate  surveys  of  fields  and 
areas  of  responsibility.  It  is  not  surprising,  now  that  economic 
conditions  have  improved,  that  there  has  been  a remarkable  re- 
newal of  building  activity  with  a striking  increase  and  improve- 
ment of  material  equipment  and  facilities.  Expert  studies  and 
constructive  reports  on  business  administration  and  methods  are 
being  made.  What  O.  T.  Johnston  alone  has  achieved  has  called 
forth  highest  commendation,  and  it  is  evident  that  the  services 


9 


of  two  additional  men  could  be  utilized  to  the  limit  in  meeting 
insistent  demands.  The  promotion  plans  of  the  membership  sec- 
retaries have  been  greatly  improved,  and  are  attracting  increas- 
ingly wide  recognition  and  acceptance.  Many  city  Associations 
are  establishing  closer  relations  with  outstanding  business  men 
and  Church  leaders.  The  initiative  taken  by  the  city  Associa- 
tion leaders  in  the  interest  of  the  whole  Brotherhood,  with  refer- 
ence to  improving  the  program  and  increasing  the  fruitage  of 
religious  work,  not  to  mention  similar  vital  services  affecting 
other  aspects  of  our  work,  has  been  a contribution  of  the  greatest 
timeliness  and  value.  The  Conference  of  Employed  Officers 
from  Small  Cities,  to  meet  following  our  present  gathering,  re- 
veals an  encouraging  community  of  concern  and  interest  which 
will  tend  to  fix  the  attention  of  the  Brotherhood  on  a relatively 
neglected  part  of  the  city  field. 

No  survey  of  conditions  and  developments  in  the  city  Associa- 
tion field  would  be  complete  without  reference  to  what  is  so 
vividly  conscious  in  the  memory  and  in  the  heart  of  all  members 
of  our  great  fellowship,  the  homegoing  after  his  triumphant  and 
most  useful  career  of  our  colleague  and  friend,  Wilbur  Messer. 
We  are  able  today,  even  better  than  last  summer,  to  realize  our 
irreparable  loss.  We  are  living  in  a moment  when  this  leader  is 
missed  beyond  all  expression.  Coupled  with  our  consciousness 
of  the  great  gap  which  has  been  created  are  emotions  of  grati- 
tude to  God  for  all  that  He  accomplished  through  His  servant. 
By  concentrating  his  splendid  powers  upon  Chicago,  Mr.  Messer 
made  a unique  contribution  toward  fashioning  the  manhood  and 
boyhood  of  our  great  mid-continent  city.  By  his  strong  grasp 
of  sound,  guiding  principles,  he  exerted  a large,  formative  influ- 
ence on  the  Association  Movement  of  his  own  country.  He  iden- 
tified himself  with  vigilant  earnestness  and  helpfulness  with  the 
great  patriotic  ministry  of  the  Association  to  the  American  Army 
and  Navy  in  the  World  War.  By  his  power  of  vision  and  by 
his  inspiring  advocacy  he  greatly  helped  the  North  American 
Associations  to  see  and  seize  their  opportunity  to  serve  the  young 
men  of  other  continents.  What  do  the  Association  Brotherhood, 


10 


the  Churches,  and  the  nation  not  owe  to  his  able  and  devoted 
leadership  through  well-nigh  half  a century  of  abounding  service? 

Work  in  Town  and  Country 

The  Town  and  Country  Work  of  the  Association  Movement, 
like  that  of  the  rural  work  of  our  various  Churches,  has  been 
seriously  affected  in  recent  years  by  the  agricultural  depression 
and  other  economic  factors  bearing  on  this  field.  Certain  perma- 
nent conditions  inhering  in  parts  of  the  rural  field  help  to  explain 
the  lack  of  progress.  Without  doubt,  moreover,  the  claims  and 
problems  of  rural  communities  have  not  received  adequate  atten- 
tion and  financial  support  from  the  Brotherhood.  It  should  not 
be  an  occasion  for  surprise,  therefore,  that,  notwithstanding  suc- 
cessful experiences  here  and  there  in  the  use  of  different  pro- 
grams and  methods,  larger  results  have  not  been  achieved.  The 
most  encouraging  fact  to  report  is  that  this  situation  is  so  much 
more  widely  recognized  among  us,  and  that  our  leaders  have 
become  so  genuinely  concerned,  that  comprehensive  studies  are 
being  made,  and  constructive  measures  are  being  recommended, 
calculated  to  bring  us  gradually  into  a better  day.  Other  organ- 
izations and  agencies  which  are  sympathetic  with  our  own,  and 
to  which  we  are  in  a position  to  sustain  helpful  relations,  are 
also  giving  thorough  attention  to  similar  problems.  This  fact 
will  help  us  on  the  way  to  our  goal. 

The  home  missionary  proposal  of  the  Atlantic  City  Conven- 
tion is  commanding  increasingly  favorable  consideration  and  will 
have  a vital  bearing  on  meeting  the  needs  of  some  parts  of  the 
vast  rural  field  which  otherwise  apparently  would  not  be  served. 
While  research,  discussion,  and  experimentation  continue,  it  is 
encouraging  to  note  the  determination  of  all  Association  work- 
ers, now  in  any  way  related  to  the  Town  and  Country  work,  to 
continue  to  adapt  their  work  and  to  stress  the  methods  and  prin- 
ciples which  have  unquestionably  manifested  their  value  and 
fruitfulness  from  that  memorable  day  at  the  Employed  Officers’ 
Conference  at  Orange,  N.  J.,  when  our  prophet,  Robert  Weiden- 
sall,  brought  before  an  incredulous  but  responsive  company  the 


11 


claims  of  the  Town  and  Country  field.  Referring  to  Robert 
Weidensall  brings  to  the  memory  of  all  that  man  of  vision,  that 
creative  mind,  that  loving  exemplar  of  our  Lord,  our  colleague 
whose  life  spanned  the  life  of  the  Employed  Officers’  Association, 
and  who  was  spared  to  the  Brotherhood  to  serve  more  than  his 
own  generation  by  the  will  of  God.  May  we  honor  his  memory 
by  pledging  ourselves  anew  to  all  those  loyalties  which  crowned 
his  life,  and  may  it  be  said  of  us,  as  could  be  said  of  him  with 
such  truth,  “He  shall  be  full  of  sap ; he  shall  bring  forth  fruit 
in  old  age.” 

The  Student  Field 

The  student  field  has  enormously  expanded  during  the  last 
three  years.  The  Associations  in  their  local,  state  and  interna- 
tional planning  and  action  have  not  commensurately  expanded 
their  program  and  ministry.  The  policies  and  activities  of  other 
organizations  and  agencies  have  introduced  some  serious  compli- 
cations. This  and  other  facts  accentuate  the  importance  of  the 
Five  Year  Advance  Program  projected  at  the  Atlantic  City  Con- 
vention. Along  with  the  difficulties,  mention  should  be  made  of 
the  ripeness  and  responsiveness  of  the  student  field.  Never  was 
this  more  true,  and  never  was  this  part  of  the  work  of  the  Broth- 
erhood more  fruitful  in  spiritual  results.  The  growing  interest 
and  concern  for  Student  Work  shown  by  leaders  of  other  Depart- 
ments of  the  Association  Movement  is  likewise  a ground  for 
encouragement. 


In  the  Transportation  Industry 

The  past  three  years  have  been  a difficult  period  in  the  realm 
of  the  transportation  industry.  The  railroad  companies  have 
been  subjected  to  great  stress  and  strain.  Nevertheless,  under 
these  trying  circumstances  the  Railroad  Associations  have  accom- 
plished some  of  their  finest  work.  The  very  difficulties  have  em- 
phasized, as  nothing  else  could,  the  stabilizing,  equalizing,  and 
unifying  influence  of  our  organization.  Although  the  railroads 
have  been  hard  hit  financially,  there  seldom  has  been  a time 
when  they  have  so  generously  supported  the  Association.  Dur- 

12 


ing  the  last  year  alone,  not  less  than  $960,000  was  expended  on 
new  buildings  or  on  substantial  additions  to  old  buildings  of  the 
Association.  There  could  be  no  better  evidence  of  the  hold 
which  the  Association  has  on  the  discerning  managers  of  railway 
corporations.  The  St.  Louis  Convention  of  the  Railroad  Associa- 
tions, generally  regarded  as  the  most  potent  of  the  entire  series, 
struck  more  clearly  and  sympathetically  than  ever  the  note  that 
the  greatest  service  the  Associations  can  render  is  in  the  realm  of 
human  relationships,  right  attitudes,  and  good  will  among  rail- 
road men  and  the  railroad  management.  That  gathering  was 
also  notable  as  being-  the  occasion  for  holding  the  first  Younger 
Men’s  Conference  of  the  Railroad  Associations. 

The  Army  and  Navy 

The  permanent  armed  forces  of  the  United  States  Army  and 
Navy  now  number  approximately  250,000  men.  The  Association 
is  still  the  recognized  voluntary  agency  for  serving  this  field. 
In  the  light  of  the  vast  experience  accumulated  in  the  war  work 
at  home  and  abroad,  these  Associations  are  now  rendering  pos- 
sibly the  most  efficient  service  ever  accomplished  on  the  peace 
time  basis.  The  magnificent  provision  made  by  the  Trustees  of 
the  War  Fund,  in  the  light  of  the  mandate  given  by  the  War 
Work  Council  before  it  dissolved,  has  made  possible  a really 
adequate  building  program  for  all  the  more  important,  permanent 
Army  and  Navy  stations  and  posts.  This  means  that  within  a 
few  years  up  and  down  our  Atlantic  and  Pacific  coasts,  on  our 
Southern  border,  on  the  Canal  Zone  and  at  the  insular  and  Far 
Eastern  stations,  there  will  be  modern,  permanent  buildings  with 
maintenance  funds  sufficient  to  prevent  these  institutions  becom- 
ing too  serious  a charge  upon  the  communities  most  concerned, 
or  upon  the  Brotherhood  in  general.  With  a wide  basis  of  selec- 
tion it  has  been  possible  to  raise  the  general  level  or  standard 
of  leadership  of  this  group  of  Associations.  The  interest  in  the 
religious  work  has  been  broadened  and  deepened.  With  the 
withdrawal  of  the  American  forces  from  the  Rhine  there  came 
to  a close  possibly  the  most  nearly  perfect  piece  of  Army  service 

13 


which  the  Brotherhood  has  ever  rendered.  With  diminishing  de- 
mands the  larger  part  of  the  work  in  the  Eastern  Mediterranean 
has  also  been  withdrawn. 

In  this  connection  we  might  report  on  behalf  of  the  Trustees 
of  the  War  Fund.  They  have  continued  to  administer  with 
vigilance,  thoroughness,  and  conscientiousness  the  great  trust 
committed  to  them.  With  the  actions  taken  at  their  last  annual 
meeting,  all  of  the  funds  in  their  care  have  been  appropriated 
with  the  exception  of  small  reserves  set  apart  to  meet  definite 
commitments  and  also  contingencies  incident  to  negotiations  with 
Governments  about  certain  unsettled  claims. 

This  record  should  include  refcicnce  to  the  history  of  the  war 
work  of  the  American  Associations  issued  a little  over  a year 
ago.  Chief  Justice  Taft  served  as  Chairman  of  the  Editorial 
Board.  The  two  volumes  entitled  “Service  with  Fighting  Men” 
constitute  an  impartial  and  impressive  record  of  an  unparalleled 
service.  This  history  has  met  with  a notable  response  on  the 
part  of  national  rulers,  of  military  and  naval  commanders  of 
different  nations,  of  editors  and  educators,  as  well  as  of  Associa- 
tion workers  and  financial  supporters.  This  work  is  most  fit- 
tingly dedicated  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  William  Sloane,  whose 
untimely  death  a few  months  ago  came  as  a heavy  blow  to  the 
many  thousands  of  war  workers,  as  well  as  to  the  entire  Asso- 
ciation Movement,  to  whom  he  had  endeared  himself  by  his 
genuine  and  attractive  Christian  character  and  by  his  devoted 
service.  From  the  time  he  left  Yale  to  the  time  of  his  death  he 
was  the  head  of  the  American  Association’s  activities  on  behalf 
of  soldiers  and  sailors — first  as  Chairman  of  the  Army  and  Navy 
Department  of  the  International  Committee,  then  as  Chairman 
of  the  National  War  Work  Council  and  also  of  the  Committee  on 
Work  for  Allied  Armies  and  Prisoners-of-War. 

Colored  Young  Men 

With  inadequate  local,  state  and  international  staffs  and  com- 
mittee organization,  the  Colored  Associations  have  done  the  best 
work  within  their  power.  The  placing  of  colored  men  on  the 


14 


International  Committee  has  been  a deserved  recognition  of  their 
place  and  leadership,  and  has  set  a much  appreciated  precedent. 
The  favorable  attitude  and  action  of  certain  State  Committees  is 
also  to  be  commended  and  may  well  be  followed  by  others. 
The  National  Conference  of  colored  men  held  in  Cincinnati 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Colored  Department  conveyed  a strik- 
ing impression  of  the  vitality  and  power  of  the  Colored  Associa- 
tions, and  constituted  a challenge  to  the  Brotherhood  to  afford  a 
more  generous  and  worthy  cooperation.  The  steadily  growing 
financial  support  on  the  part  of  the  Colored  Associations  them- 
selves holds  large  promise  for  future  progress.  Their  sending 
forth  Max  Yergan  to  plant  Association  work  among  the  more 
progressive  elements  of  the  Negro  race  in  South  Africa  is  an 
evidence  of  their  sense  of  missionary  obligation  to  the  peoples 
of  a vast  Continent  who  must  look  increasingly  to  the  colored 
Christians  of  America  for  leadership. 

The  Inter-Racial  Problem 

Seldom  has  it  been  permmitted  an  organization  to  launch  a 
movement  fraught  with  larger  possibilities  for  mankind  than  was 
accorded  to  the  War  Work  Council  of  the  American  Associa- 
tions in  the  inauguration  of  what  is  now  known  as  the  Inter- 
Racial  Work.  The  Brotherhood  properly  showed  its  apprecia- 
tion and  true  foresight  at  the  Atlantic  City  Convention  in  making 
this  a permanent  part  of  the  Association  program  by  incorporat- 
ing it  as  a department  of  the  service  of  the  International  Com- 
mittee. Up  to  the  present  time,  barring  the  overhead  item  of 
expense,  the  large  financial  requirements  of  this  expanding  ser- 
vice have  been  met  by  a special  fund  provided  by  interested 
friends  without  cutting  across  any  other  financial  plans  of  the 
Associations.  It  is  an  impressive  fact  that  there  have  already 
been  established  800  joint  (that  is,  white  and  colored)  local  and 
county  Inter-Racial  Committees  in  the  Southern  Region  alone. 
Their  work  and  plans  have  gained  the  Intelligent  and  hearty  sup- 
port of  the  prominent  educators,  editors,  and  denominational 
leaders  of  different  parts  of  the  country.  This  activity,  accom- 


15 


plished  in  a truly  Christlike  spirit,  has  led  to  unmistakable  im- 
provements in  race  relationships.  The  fact  that  this  year  frater- 
nal delegates  from  the  southern  white  students’  conference  will 
attend  the  corresponding  gathering  of  the  colored  student  Asso- 
ciations tells  in  epitome  a great  volume.  This  inter-racial  move- 
ment has  not  only  great  meaning  for  our  national  life,  but  also 
has  world  significance.  It  is  being  studied  increasingly  by  lead- 
ing minds  of  foreign  nations  whose  governments  and  Churches 
are  vitally  concerned  with  race  relationships. 

Industrial  Work 

Turning  to  the  Industrial  Work  it  is  interesting  to  notice  that 
in  the  city  field  which  constitutes  the  larger  of  the  two  phases 
of  our  industrial  activity,  when  industrial  leadership  was  dropped 
after  the  War,  much  of  the  work  was  promptly  taken  over  and  is 
now  being  conducted  as  a fruitful  part  of  the  regular  city  Associa- 
tion activity.  Some  fifty  of  over  200  Associations  reporting,  esti- 
mate that  fully  50%  of  their  membership  are  industrial  workers. 
In  the  field  of  special  industrial  Associations,  that  is,  those  apart 
from  the  general  city  Associations,  there  has  been  an  increase 
of  one-third  in  the  number  of  points  at  which  industrial  work 
has  been  established.  Moreover,  within  this  period  the  property 
valuation  has  approximately  doubled.  The  Association  plants 
which  are  now  being  operated  are  valued  at  over  $8,000,000. 
Possibly  the  development  of  most  far-reaching  significance  has 
been  the  summer  conferences  dealing  primarily  with  human  rela- 
tions in  industry. 

Work  with  Boys 

The  triennium  has  been  characterized  by  the  growing  inter- 
est and  concern  of  our  leaders  in  the  boy  life  of  the  nation.  This 
is  seen  in  the  constant  emphasis  by  Associations  in  cities  and 
communities  of  all  sizes,  as  well  as  by  our  State  and  National 
Agencies,  on  work  with  boys.  Admittedly  in  this  field,  wherever 
well  planned  and  earnest  efforts  are  put  forth,  we  have  our 
largest  returns.  In  the  pathway  of  experience  confidence  in  the 
Christian  Citizenship  Program  continues  to  grow.  The  outstand- 


16 


ing  event  of  the  period  was  tne  World  Conference  of  Workers 
Among  Boys,  held  at  Portschach,  Austria,  a year  ago.  The  North 
American  Associations  were  largely  and  ably  represented,  and 
made  a rich  contribution.  This  gathering  of  over  1,000  delegates 
from  fifty  nations,  and  the  forward-looking  work  of  its  repre- 
sentative Commissions,  has  exerted  both  an  extensive  and  pro- 
found influence  on  boys’  work  throughout  the  world.  A perma- 
nent deposit  has  been  left  in  the  establishment  of  a Boys’  Work 
Department  of  the  World’s  Committee,  under  which  has  already 
been  assembled  a notable  group  of  specialists. 

Physical  Work 

We  are  able  to  report  signs  of  progress  in  the  Physical  Work 
of  the  Brotherhood.  There  has  been  a growing  sense  of  solidar- 
ity and  spiritual  fellowship  among  its  leaders,  and  evidences  of 
greater  stability  in  the  physical  directorship.  The  thirty  or  more 
State  Physical  Directors’  Societies  have,  on  the  whole,  functioned 
with  efficiency,  likewise  the  state  sub-committees  of  laymen.  The 
number  of  State  Committees  employing  physical  directors  to  de- 
vote all  or  the  larger  part  of  their  time  to  the  supervision  of 
this  part  of  the  work  has  multiplied.  There  has  been  a gratifying 
upward  standardization  in  the  Physical  Work  program  due  to 
these  developments  and  to  the  increased  attendance  and  improve- 
ment of  courses  of  instruction  at  Summer  Schools.  The  recogni- 
tion of  the  need  of  our  Movement,  as  a Movement,  evolving  an 
adequate  policy  is  best  illustrated  by  the  good  work  accomplished 
on  the  part  of  the  Commission  on  Physical  Work  of  the  Em- 
ployed Officers’  Conference,  the  report  of  which  at  this  gathering 
points  the  way. 

Educational  Work 

Attention  is  also  called  to  advances  in  the  Educational  Work. 
There  has  been  an  encouraging  growth  of  schools  with  curricula 
of  three  to  four  years  of  progressive  work.  Among  the  best 
examples  are  those  of  Boston,  Cleveland,  Chicago,  Detroit, 
Youngstown,  Columbus,  Louisville  and  Portland.  There  have 
been  more  enquiries  and  requests  for  programs  and  field  service 

17 


than  ever  before.  It  would  take  the  full  time  of  two  men  to 
respond  to  these  appeals.  The  most  thorough  and  instructive 
surveys  in  this  field  have  been  the  New  York  City  Educational 
Survey  conducted  by  the  Institute  of  Educational  Research  of 
Teachers’  College,  and  that  of  the  Cleveland  Association  School 
of  Technology.  Even  more  important  than  the  matter  of  enrol- 
ments has  been  the  steady  development  of  the  qualitative  aspects 
of  the  Educational  Work.  Gradually  we  are  evolving  a system 
of  Christian  education  especially  adapted  to  the  needs  of  em- 
ployed young  men  and  boys,  offering  opportunities  not  only  of 
liberal  culture,  but  also  of  vocational  education.  At  its  best  this 
system  is  achieving  results  which  compare  favorably  with  that  of 
the  best  colleges.  An  enormous  field  for  service  is  today  wide 
open  to  the  Associations,  but  other  agencies  are  rising  up  to  help 
cultivate  it.  It  should  be  pointed  out  that  changed  conditions, 
due  to  the  increased  periods  of  leisure  in  the  lives  of  working 
men,  challenge  the  Association  to  enlist  their  interest  and  activity 
on  a larger  scale.  If  our  work  is  to  have  the  distinction  of  leader- 
ship in  its  chosen  field,  it  must  excel  in  educational  efficiency 
and,  above  all,  must  render  its  most  distinctive  contribution 
which  we  all  recognize  to  be  in  the  realm  of  Christian  character 
building. 

Our  Publication  Interests 

Within  the  past  three  years  the  International  Committee,  with 
the  help  of  many  Association  leaders,  has  made  a thorough  study 
of  the  publication  interests  of  the  Brotherhood.  This  has  re- 
sulted in  the  formation  of  the  Board  of  Publication,  uniting  the 
former  four  separate  bureaus — Association  Press,  Association 
Men,  the  Bureau  of  Information,  and  the  Bureau  of  Records. 
Association  Press,  in  common  with  virtually  every  other  Church 
publishing  house  and  of  many  of  the  general  publishing  concerns, 
has  been  passing  through  an  impossible  period  owing  to  well 
understood  reasons  relating  to  war  service  and  abnormal  post- 
war conditions.  Notwithstanding  the  handicaps  and  resulting 
deficits,  the  reorganization  and  new  policies  have  improved  the 
situation  and  further  necessary  modifications  of  plans  are  now 

18 


being  made.  The  Press  has  continued  to  render  a large  and  ap- 
preciated service,  the  discontinuance  of  which  would  be  a calamity 
to  the  cause  of  Christ  among  young  men. 

The  new  policy  regarding  Association  Men  seems  to  have 
commended  itself.  The  management  of  the  paper  crave  the  de- 
velopment of  the  partnership  interest  of  the  Brotherhood  to  the 
end  that  Association  Men  may  in  reality  be  recognized  as  ex- 
pressing the  mind  and  leadership  ,of  the  Association. 

The  Information  Bureau  has  already  won  a unique  place  and 
is  being  developed  and  recognized  as  the  Information  Service  of 
the  whole  Brotherhood. 

Enquiry  and  Research 

Let  me  now  enlarge  upon  several  aspects  of  the  progress  of 
the  Associations  during  the  triennium.  One  of  the  best  evi- 
dences of  progress  in  the  life  of  our  Movement  during  the  period 
under  review  has  been  the  exercise  of  the  spirit  and  method  of 
enquiry  and  research.  Never  before  has  there  been  so  much  in- 
dividual and  corporate  thinking  among  us  with  reference  to  our 
problems,  principles,  and  programs.  In  almost  every  phase  of 
our  work  the  leaders  have  been  reexamining  foundations  and 
processes.  There  has  been  a healthy  dissatisfaction  with  our 
achievements  and  present  conditions  and  constructive  efforts  to 
bring  about  improvements.  There  has  been  a commendable  de- 
sire to  face  the  facts  even  though  they  might  be  found  disagree- 
able. While  we  are  far  from  overtaking  our  ideal  it  is  unmis- 
takably true  that  the  Association  ic  being  put  on  a more  scien- 
tific basis,  and  standards  are  being  determined  and  applied. 
Steady  progress  is  observable  in  the  development  of  unified,  tom- 
fold  program^  for  different  age  groups  and  for  different  types 
0f  young  men  and  boys.  When  have  we  had  better  pieces  of  com- 
mission work  than  in  recent  years ; for  example,  the  advance 
program  commission  of  the  Student  Department,  the  one  on  rela- 
tions with  the  Churches,  the  one  on  physical  education,  the  one 
on  the  program  for  smaller  cities?  When  have  we  had  more 
thorough  surveys  of  different  fields  and  phases  of  activity ; for 


19 


example,  the  educational  surveys  in  New  York  and  Cleveland? 
The  most  exhaustive  and  thorough-going  undertaking  of  this  kind 
has  been  the  recently  completed  Rockefeller  Study  of  the  organ- 
ization and  methods  of  the  Home  Work  of  the  International 
Committee. 

The  Constitutional  Convention 

This  triennium  is  historic  as  it  will  be  forever  associated  with 
the  developments  culminating  in  the  Cleveland  Constitutional  Con- 
vention, and  in  the  reorganization  of  the  Movement.  The  Asso- 
ciations recognized  that  the  world  itself  had  come  out  into  a 
new  day  and  that  all  agencies  of  service  which  would  meet  the 
vast  and  growing  demands  upon  them  must  not  only  relentlessly 
examine  themselves,  but  likewise  reorganize  their  life,  increase 
their  working  efficiency,  and  augment  their  power.  Such  initia- 
tive, reorganization,  and  adaptation  are  always  a sign  ,of  genuine 
vitality.  The  Cleveland  Convention  was  unmistakably  one  of  the 
most  significant  events  in  our  history.  It  was  indeed  a truly  cre- 
ative hour.  It  marked  a great  stride  forward  in  the  democratiza- 
tion of  the  Movement.  It  has  provided  for  a National  Council 
elected  directly  by  the  Associations  and  as  such  quickly  respon- 
sive to  their  will,  carrying  with  it  also  the  responsibility  of  the 
Associations  to  provide  adequate  support.  By  its  Constitution 
and  plan  it  makes  possible  a genuinely  modern  and  efficient  legis- 
lative body.  It  effects  a distribution  or  decentralization  of  re- 
sponsibility while  at  the  same  time  maintaining  a desirable  co- 
ordination of  all  the  work  of  the  Council.  A genuine  unity  was 
achieved.  This  woo  accomplished  not  so  much  by  compromise 
by  the  taking  up  into  a larger  synthesis  the  autonomous  and 
independent  national  and  state  agencies.  A new  atmosphere  has 
been  generated  as  a result  of  which  our  leaders  now  see  a land 
of  infinitely  larger  dimensions,  and  experience  the  thrill  of  a 
new  life.  The  new  Constitution  conserves  the  past,  deals  in  a 
large,  constructive  way  with  the  present,  and  opens  the  doors  for 
greater  progress  in  the  future.  It  enables  the  Associations  to 
meet  the  requirements  of  the  modern  age  and  of  the  coming  day. 

20 


Augmenting  Material  Resources 
The  last  three  years  have  witnessed  a large  accession  to  the 
material  resources  of  the  Brotherhood.  Notwithstanding  the  fact 
that  part  of  this  period  has  been  one  of  economic  strain  and 
financial  difficulty,  the  progress  achieved  has  been  remarkable. 
We  have  entered  on  a new  building  era  in  which  many  of  the 
Associations  are  replacing  old  with  more  modern  structures.  It 
is  estimated  that  the  permanent  property  and  funds  of  the  Asso- 
ciations have  been  augmented  by  fully  $10,000,000.  The  Finan- 
cial Service  Bureau  of  the  International  Committee  has  reported 
recent  achievements  which  seem  wonderful  indeed.  They  report 
campaigns  for  funds  for  new  buildings  and  for  clearing  off 
building  indebtedness,  aggregating  over  $14,000,000.  Among  the 
most  outstanding  are  those  of 


Jersey  City 

$550,000 

Aberdeen 

350,000 

Fort  Worth 

350,000 

San  Antonio 

350,000 

Columbus 

900,000 

Pittsburgh 

750,000 

Green  Bay 

350,000 

Ansonia 

185,000 

Laurel 

100,000 

Massilon 

325,000 

Breckenridge 

185,000 

Portland 

350,000 

Montclair 

400,000 

Worcester 

410,000 

Selma 

150^000 

Cumberland 

350,000 

and,  last  of  all,  the  marvellous  achievement  of  the  past  few  days 
in  St.  Louis  where  the  very  great  sum  of  $3,000,000  was  sub- 
scribed in  a campaign  which  in  some  respects  is  the  most  out- 
standing in  our  history.  It  is  a striking  fact  that  in  spite  of  all 
criticisms  and  other  handicaps,  the  Associations  today  are  rais- 
ing sums  which  before  the  War  would  have  seemed  absolutely 


21 


impossible.  It  should  be  pointed  out  that  while  there  are  possibly 
fewer  large  gifts  than  formerly,  owing  to  well  understood  causes, 
we  are  securing  a remarkable  response  in  medium-sized  gifts  and 
the  total  number  of  givers  in  almost  every  part  of  the  country  is 
vastly  greater  than  it  was  a decade  ago.  As  one  has  recently 
pointed  out,  our  constituency  are  giving  both  more  generally 
and  more  generously.  It  is  gratifying  to  observe  that  the  financial 
campaigns  are  still  among  the  most  fruitful  means  for  generating 
the  spirit  of  faith  and  sacrifice  and  of  increasing  the  volume  of 
unselfish  service. 

The  Building  Bureau 

The  testimony  of  the  Building  Bureau,  the  invaluable  ser- 
vice of  which  is  so  widely  and  deeply  appreciated,  confirms  all 
that  has  been  said  with  reference  to  the  gathering  momentum  of 
the  building  movement.  At  the  present  time  the  members  of  this 
Bureau  are  retained  on  some  seventy-five  building  projects,  the 
total  cost  of  which  is  not  less  than  $22,000,000.  This  is  far  in 
excess  of  the  operations  of  the  Bureau  at  any  preceding  time. 
Attention  should  be  called  to  the  multiplication  of  branch  build- 
ings both  in  the  large  and  middle-sized  cities,  and  also  to  the 
evolving  of  building  plans  and  projects  for  cities  or  isolated  com- 
munities of  under  15,000  inhabitants.  Special  attention  in  mod- 
ern planning  is  being  paid  to  the  inclusion  of  proper  revenue- 
producing  features  so  that  in  neither  large  or  small  communi- 
ties will  the  maintenance  of  these  structures  become  too  great  a 
financial  burden.  Such  facts  as  these  concerning  the  modern 
building  movement,  not  to  mention  the  wonderful  giving  toward 
local,  state,  and  international  budgets  and  special  projects,  dem- 
onstrate convincingly  that  the  Association  never  had  a larger 
or  more  secure  place  in  the  confidence  and  sacrificial  devotion 
of  the  American  people. 

Retirement  Plan 

Another  achievement  of  the  Brotherhood  since  we  met  at 
Geneva  in  1921,  and  toward  which,  as  many  here  will  recall, 
we  were  then  beginning  to  feel  our  way,  has  been  the  securing 

22 


of  the  $4,000,000  Accrued  Liability  Fund  and  the  successful 
launching  of  the  Retirement  Plan.  Approximately  one-half  of 
this  large  amount  came  from  eleven  sources,  including  a group 
of  the  most  discerning,  loyal,  and  generous  friends  which  any 
organization  ever  had.  The  remaining  half  represents  the  heart 
response  of  the  Associations  themselves  with  their  multitude  of 
devoted  supporters.  Already  $1,904,525  has  been  paid,  or  47.5%. 
This  is  just  a little  short  of  50%,  the  proportion  called  for  by 
our  schedule  of  payments.  The  present  number  of  active  par- 
ticipating secretaries  is  3,209,  and  the  number  of  participating 
Associations  today  stands  at  1,029.  These  same  Associations 
have  a total  of  4,611  employed  officers.  It  is  interesting  to  note 
that  already  129  secretaries  have  retired  and  that  payments  on 
their  account  have  been  $172,377.  The  timeliness  of  God’s  own 
working  in  leading  the  Brotherhood  to  establish  this  fund  just 
when  we  did  is  most  apparent.  It  has  already  justified  our  expecta- 
tions as  to  its  good,  stabilizing  effect.  We  would  pay  a grateful 
tribute  to  Mr.  Ayer,  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  in 
whose  death  we  have  suffered  so  great  a loss,  and  to  whose  saga- 
city, generosity,  courageous  faith,  and  conviction  the  entire  Broth- 
erhood will  ever  be  indebted. 

The  same  period  that  witnessed  the  inauguration  of  the  Re- 
tirement Plan  which  has  ensured  such  just  provision  for  men  at 
the  end  of  their  official  service  in  the  Association,  has  likewise 
seen  the  adoption  of  the  Certification  Plan  which,  when  its  im- 
plications are  fully  understood  and  seriously  accepted,  will  do 
more  than  possibly  any  other  one  thing  to  elevate  and  maintain 
high  standards  in  the  case  of  entrants  into  the  Association  pro- 
fession. It  means  that  at  the  very  intake  of  our  work  the  men 
who  come  over  the  threshold  will,  .on  the  whole,  be  of  a higher 
type  because  more  carefully  investigated,  sifted,  and  tested  than 
in  the  past. 

Trained  Leadership 

While  there  are  not  as  many  men  of  outstanding  ability 
and  most  thorough  training  entering  the  ranks  of  the  secre- 
tarial Brotherhood  as  we  would  like  to  see,  it  is  gratifying 


23 


to  observe  that  greater  stress  is  being  placed  on  trained 
leadership.  The  emphasis  on  able  workmanship  in  the  pro- 
cesses of  our  work  promises  much  for  the  future.  The 
same  can  be  said  of  the  growing  appreciation  of  the  value  of 
the  best  possible  professional  training.  Under  the  guidance  of 
the  Conference  on  the  Association  Profession,  and  with  the  help 
of  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Vocational  Training  and  the  Per- 
sonnel Bureau  of  the  International  Committee,  a sound  personnel 
policy  is  being  gradually  evolved.  The  good  work  of  the  train- 
ing centers  has  continued.  Attention  should  be  called  to  the 
improved  methods  of  training  at  the  Summer  Schools. 

The  record  of  the  three  Association  Colleges  affords  ground 
for  encouragement.  The  College  at  Springfield  has  recently 
added  three  able  men  to  its  staff.  Apart  from  its  summer  courses 
it  now  has  430  students,  or  an  increase  of  35%  during  the  three 
years.  Particular  attention  should  be  called  to  its  international 
service  department  in  connection  with  which  candidates  from 
twenty-one  foreign  lands  are  now  being  trained.  A little  over 
$1,500,000  has  been  subscribed  toward  the  $2,500,000  building  and 
endowment  fund.  In  connection  with  the  Chicago  College  six 
men  have  been  added  to  the  faculty  within  three  years,  or  an 
increase  of  about  50%.  The  number  of  students  within  that  time, 
has  increased  from  148  to  253.  This  is  apart  from  the  large 
summer  school  of  over  350  men.  Nearly  $300,000  has  been 
added  to  the  endowment.  In  this  institution  there  has  been  a 
steady  increase  in  the  number  of  college  graduates.  It  is  gratify- 
ing also  to  note  the  closer  coordination  of  the  work  of  the  col- 
lege with  the  two  neighboring  universities — the  University  of 
Chicago,  and  Northwestern  University,  and  also  the  close  rela- 
tion sustained  to  the  Association  supporting  constituency.  The 
Southern  College  at  Nashville  has,  within  the  three  years,  doubled 
its  number  of  students,  there  now  being  in  attendance  seventy- 
five.  The  teaching  staff  has  increased  from  five  to  seven,  and 
plans  are  on  foot  for  adding  four  men  in  the  near  future.  This 
college  has  an  enviable  record  in  its  high  professional  training 
requirements,  no  student  being  permitted  to  graduate  until  he 


24 


holds  a college  degree  in  addition  to  having  received  the  pro- 
fessional training.  It  should  be  commended  also  for  its  close 
and  effective  integration  with  Vanderbilt  University,  Peabody 
Normal,  and  Scarritt  College. 

The  Religious  Emphasis 

The  deeper  satisfaction  of  those  who  have  most  at  heart  the 
vital  and  conquering  power  of  the  Association  lies  in  the  renewed 
religious  emphasis  which  has  come  with  the  last  two  or  three 
years.  Beginning  with  the  heart-searching  conference  of  the  City 
General  Secretaries  at  Atlantic  City  late  in  1921,  in  collaboration 
with  the  representatives  of  the  Religious  Work  Department  of 
the  International  Committee,  deepening  with  the  creative  gather- 
ing held  at  Lakehurst  a few  months  later,  and  taking  an  organ- 
ized expression  in  the  two  subsequent  winter  seasons,  a quiet 
and  truly  vital  spiritual  movement  has  increasingly  permeated 
the  North  American  Associations.  It  has  been  under  the  direc- 
tion of  a representative  commission  under  the  devoted  leadership 
of  Dr.  Studer.  Increasingly  it  has  blended  the  efforts  of  the 
local,  state  and  international  leaders,  both  secretaries  and  laymen. 
Almost  from  the  beginning  intimate  touch  has  been  maintained 
with  the  recognized  leaders  of  the  Churches.  In  the  season  of 
1922-23  the  continent-wide  campaign  embraced  typical  and  influ- 
ential cities  in  thirty-seven  American  states  and  Canadian  prov- 
inces. Associated  with  this  effort  was  much  inter-Association 
visitation.  The  following  season  a number  of  deputations  con- 
ducted extensive  and  fruitful  visits,  notably  in  Michigan,  In- 
diana, and  Iowa.  In  both  years  the  response  to  the  evangelistic 
appeals,  to  the  calls  for  men  to  enlist  for  service,  and  to  the  chal- 
lenges to  apply  the  principles  of  Jesus  to  modern  life  were  among 
the  most  heartening  in  the  religious  history  of  the  Brotherhood. 
Seldom,  if  ever,  has  such  thorough  preparation  been  made  for 
visits  as  in  the  case  of  the  tours  of  visitation  during  these  two 
seasons.  On  the  whole,  the  work  of  conservation  also  has  been 
well  done.  There  are  evidences  in  different  parts  of  North 
America  of  a real  awakening  to  the  spiritual  mission  and  values 

25 


of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association.  It  is  a sign  of  hope 
to  observe  the  growing  solicitude  among  our  most  discerning 
leaders  as  to  the  religious  unproductivity  of  so  much  of  our  work. 
The  definite  acceptance  of  responsibility  for  improving  condi- 
tions on  the  part  of  international,  state  and  local  leaders,  is  also 
reassuring.  That  this  is  not  a spasmodic  movement  is  evidenced 
by  the  enlarged  and  courageous  plans  of  the  Studer  Commission 
and  the  Religious  Work  Department. 

Apart  from  the  religious  emphasis  campaign  attention  should 
be  called  to  other  encouragements  in  this  most  important  and 
highly  multiplying  part  of  our  work.  There  is  a growing  interest 
in  the  religious  welfare  of  boys  in  every  part  of  the  land,  as  seen 
in  the  large  and  fruitful  City,  County,  and  State  Boys’  Confer- 
ences. The  Bible  courses  for  use  among  young  men  and  boys 
have  been  improved,  and  the  wonderful  results  recently  achieved 
by  Professor  Bruce  Curry  in  his  Bible  study  propaganda  show 
clearly  what  might  be  done  on  a vastly  larger  scale  if  we  would 
but  increase  the  number  of  qualified  leaders  in  this  field.  Tar- 
dily, but  certainly,  the  Associations  are  addressing  themselves  to 
the  fundamental  matter  of  religious  education.  As  a result  there 
is  an  improvement  in  the  quality  of  the  teaching  and  leadership. 
Our  men  are  discovering  the  large  possibilities  of  the  project  and 
problem  discussion  group  methods  of  work.  We  commend  most 
earnestly  the  initiative  of  those  leaders  among  us  who  at  Summer 
schools,  leading  universities,  and  theological  seminaries  are  sup- 
plementing their  training  that  they  may  be  qualified  to  meet  the 
inevitably  greater  and  more  exacting  demands  of  tomorrow  if 
the  Association  is  to  be  true  to  its  overwhelming  religious  trust. 
It  has  been  encouraging  also  to  see  the  genuine  interest  mani- 
fested by  an  enlarged  circle  in  the  themes  dealt  with  in  the  Asso- 
ciation Forum  and  in  the  Forum  Bulletin.  The  efforts  of  not  a 
few  of  our  lay  and  clerical  leaders  to  express  and  teach  the 
Christian  life  and  faith  in  terms  which  the  honest-minded  of  the 
new  generation  can  accept  and  follow,  is  a sign  of  reality  and 
large  promise.  Men  are  being  helped  today  as  never  before  to 
see  the  religion  of  Christ  in  terms  of  life  as  well  as  faith.  While 


26 


there  is  still  much  to  be  desired  in  this  sphere,  the  Associations 
have  established,  at  least  nationally,  decidedly  improved  under- 
standings and  working  relations  with  Church  and  Sunday  School 
leaders.  As  a result  many  of  the  clergy  and  of  the  editors  of  the 
religious  press  are  manifesting  renewed  confidence  in  the  Asso- 
ciation. 

Social  Conscience  of  the  Brotherhood 

With  more  justification  than  at  Geneva  three  years  ago,  we 
can  today  call  attention  to  the  education,  quickening,  and  ex- 
pression of  the  social  conscience  in  our  Brotherhood.  The  forces 
of  reaction,  inertia,  and  excessive  caution  in  this  as  in  many  an- 
other Christian  organization,  tend  in  some  cases  to  hold  back 
Association  leaders  from  declaring  their  soul’s  deepest  convic- 
tions and  from  assuming  larger  responsibilities ; and  yet  pro- 
phetic, heroic,  and  devoted  spirits  are  rising  up  both  among  the 
younger  and  older  leaders,  and  it  is  noticeable  that  they  are  com- 
manding an  ever-increasing  following,  especially  among  the  on- 
coming generation.  The  sufficient  proof  of  these  statements  is 
the  unmistakable  growth  in  interest  in  the  study  of  the  questions 
involving  the  bringing  to  bear  of  the  principles  and  spirit  of 
Jesus  Christ  upon  human  relationships.  This  is  seen  in  the  mul- 
tiplication of  classes  and  discussion  groups,  in  the  increased  cir- 
culation among  our  members  of  the  books  and  periodicals  bear- 
ing on  the  social  problems  of  our  day,  and  in  the  development  of 
the  open  forum  idea  in  conferences  and  conventions.  There  is  a 
new  spirit  of  enquiry  and  of  purposeful  daring  abroad.  There 
has  been  a most  gratifying  development  of  interest  in  human  re- 
lations in  industry  shown  by  the  many  programs  and  discus- 
sions devoted  to  such  subjects  among  leaders  and  members.  The 
examples  multiply  of  the  spread  of  the  spirit  of  good  will  at 
friction  points  in  the  social  and  racial  contacts. 

Nothing  short  of  a revolution  in  the  thinking  and  expression 
on  such  subjects  is  in  progress  in  the  colleges  of  the  land.  This 
is  inevitably  reflected  in  our  conferences  and  conventions.  Much 
of  the  agitation  against  the  causes  of  war,  and  against  war  itself 


27 


as  a satisfactory  means  of  settling  international  disputes,  is  trace- 
able to  the  well-prepared  and  open-minded  discussions  at  the 
Peking  Federation  Conference  two  years  ago,  and  the  Volunteer 
Convention  in  Indianapolis  last  winter.  The  industrial  confer- 
ences at  Silver  Bay,  Estes  Park,  and  Blue  Ridge  have  had  a valu- 
able influence  in  the  development  of  interest  in  the  social  ques- 
tions in  the  industrial  area.  The  addresses  of  Mr.  Eddy  and  the 
influence  of  the  members  of  his  European  deputations  have,  like- 
wise, exerted  a kindling  influence  near  and  far.  The  very  oppo- 
sition stirred  up  in  some  quarters  has  set  many  to  questioning 
and  then  to  reading  and  thinking  for  themselves  on  these  vital 
issues.  It  would  be  difficult  to  exaggerate  the  profound  influence 
exerted  not  only  by  the  Christlike  life,  but  also  by  the  codicil  of 
the  published  will  of  that  key  Association  layman  of  the  South, 
Mr.  John  J.  Eagan.  Possibly  the  most  potent  cause  of  the 
change  rapidly  coming  over  our  Brotherhood,  in  common  with 
other  Christian  circles,  is  the  greater  emphasis  which  has  been 
laid  since  the  War,  the  world  over,  on  Jesus’  way  of  life.  This 
culminated  a few  weeks  ago  in  Europe  in  the  so-called  Copec 
Conference  at  Manchester,  which  reflected  the  social  idealism  and 
heroism  of  most  trusted  elements  both  in  the  new  and  the  old 
generations  of  the  British  Isles.  In  America  in  the  years  right 
before  us  this  gathering,  with  its  related  activities  of  research  and 
agitation,  is  to  have  its  counterpart,  popularly  known  as  “The  In- 
quiry,” in  which  many  of  our  most  forward  looking  young  men 
will  be  moving  spirits. 

Foreign  Outreach  of  North  American  Associations 

The  Foreign  Work  has  continued  its  healthy  growth.  It  is 
well  established  in  eighteen  foreign  countries  where  already 
there  have  been  organized  and  developed  384  Associations  with 
125,000  members.  These  are  located  at  nearly  all  of  the  princi- 
pal educational,  commercial,  and  political  capitals,  and  are  serving 
the  most  influential  groups  of  the  population.  Since  the  last  re- 
port the  foreign  staff  has  actually  decreased  from  185  to  179. 
Happily  the  native  arm  of  the  service  has  continued  to  grow  and 


28 


strengthen,  embracing  at  the  present  time  625  secretarial  leaders. 
Even  more  significant  has  been  the  enlargement  of  the  lay  forces 
related  to  the  enterprise  on  almost  every  one  of  the  foreign  fields. 
The  various  local  boards  and  also  the  National  Committees  have 
achieved  such  strength  that  it  may  truthfully  be  said  that  the 
early  vision  which  commanded  us  when  we  entered  upon  the 
Foreign  Work — that  of  developing  autonomous,  independent, 
self-supporting  movements — is  fast  being  realized.  Large  atten- 
tion has  recently  been  given  to  working  out  up-to-date  training 
programs,  especially  in  Latin  America  and  the  Far  East.  On 
every  field  there  has  been  real  progress  in  the  different  phases  of 
the  four-fold  work. 

Among  the  most  notable  conventions  of  more  than  national 
significance  were  the  national  conventions  of  China  and  India  and 
the  remarkable  Federation  Conference  in  Peking.  Among  recent 
tours  of  visitation  of  great  helpfulness  were  those  of  Mr.  Speers, 
of  Mr.  Murray,  the  Chairman  of  the  Foreign  Division,  of  Mr. 
Wiley,  of  Mr.  Jenkins,  and  of  Mr.  McMillan.  The  Foreign 
Building  program,  launched  late  in  1916  and  interrupted  for  sev- 
eral years  by  the  War,  has  recently  been  renewed  and  we  are 
able  to  report  that  approximately  $5,000,000  is  in  sight,  over 
$2,000,000  of  which  comes  from  the  foreign  field  itself.  Besides 
this,  a good  beginning  has  been  made  toward  the  $1,000,000  fund 
needed  to  reconstruct  on  more  modern  lines  the  twelve  or  more 
buildings  destroyed  in  the  earthquakes  in  Japan.  The  Atlantic 
City  Convention  brought  in  a new  day  for  the  Foreign  Work  in 
authorizing  an  increase  in  the  size  of  the  Foreign  Committee 
from  twenty  to  seventy-five.  This  has  made  possible  a more 
thorough  supervision.  It  has  been  most  reassuring  to  follow  the 
steady  growth  of  interest  in  the  Foreign  Work  and  the  larger 
resources  devoted  to  this  object.  A high  tribute  is  due  to  the 
Commission  which  under  the  fine  leadership  of  Mr.  Wiley  has 
worked  with  such  faithfulness  and  effect.  The  Brotherhood  as 
a whole  threw  itself  in  a way  that  is  beyond  praise  into  meeting 
the  grave  crisis  which  recently  confronted  our  Foreign  Work  and 
achieved  a great  victory. 


29 


Young  Men  of  Europe 

The  wonderful  developments  in  our  work  overseas,  that  is, 
in  Europe  and  the  Near  East,  should  be  bracketed  closely  in  our 
consideration  with  that  of  the  older  and  more  established  Foreign 
Work.  All  are  familiar  with  the  great  service  which  the  Asso- 
ciation alone  among  welfare  organizations,  was  permitted  to  ren- 
der to  the  6,000,000  men  on  both  sides  of  the  War  in  the  lonely 
prisoner-of-war  camps,  and  to  approximately  20,000,000  men  and 
boys  of  Allied  Armies.  In  those  absorbing  days  little  did  we 
think  of  the  possible  remote  consequences  of  such  an  undertak- 
ing. It  is  hard  even  today  to  realize  that  the  outcome  has  pre- 
sented to  the  American  Associations  an  opportunity  as  remark- 
able as  the  one  we  considered  at  the  Philadelphia  Convention  in 
1889.  This  opportunity  comes  in  the  call  for  us  to  stand  by  the 
peoples  of  Europe  and  the  Near  East  during  the  terribly  critical 
period  following  the  War,  and  to  establish  on  a civilian  basis 
the  work  which  at  first  was  confined  to  soldiers.  The  need  for 
this  was  more  acute  than  many  who  did  not  have  first-hand  knowl- 
edge of  the  situation  have  realized.  It  involved  literally  millions 
of  men  and  boys — tired,  discouraged,  with  moral  fibre  loosened, 
and  with  faith  in  God  shaken  by  the  War  and  its  effects.  And 
yet  these  are  the  very  men  and  boys  who  are  the  only  hope  of  the 
new  Europe,  and  they  constitute  the  generation  with  whom  we 
must  collaborate  if  we  are  to  bring  in  a new  day.  We  could  not 
do  otherwise  than  give  a favorable  response.  Happily  the  Amer- 
ican people  had  placed  in  our  hands,  for  this  among  other  specific 
purposes,  funds  adequate  to  meet  the  crisis. 

Recognizing  that  these  resources  at  the  best  were  limited,  a 
policy  of  contraction  was  outlined,  and  has  been  carefully  fol- 
lowed during  the  recent  years.  The  number  of  American  secre- 
taries in  charge  of  this  widely  extended  service  has  decreased 
since  the  Lake  Geneva  Conference  three  years  ago  from  over  300 
to  approximately  seventy.  The  appropriations  have  been  dimin- 
ishing on  a corresponding  scale.  It  has  been  our  aim  to  leave  in 
all  the  new  countries  and  the  reconstructed  countries  which  we 
have  been  serving,  a vital  deposit  of  American  Association  ideas 


30 


and  ideals,  of  principles  and  methods,  of  good  will  and  friendship, 
and  an  example  of  unselfish,  heroic  service.  It  is  clear  that  we 
cannot  at  this  stage  withdraw  entirely  from  these  fields.  Care- 
fully selected  groups,  including  some  of  the  most  experienced  and 
able  leaders  of  the  Brotherhood,  should  remain  in  these  countries 
until  our  mission  has  been  fulfilled.  The  work  already  achieved 
reads  like  a romance.  It  abounds  in  present-day  evidences  of 
the  reality  and  conquering  power  of  our  faith.  Whether  we  have 
in  mind  the  opportunity  confronting  us  in  Greek  Catholic  lands, 
or  in  Roman  Catholic  countries,  or  in  the  Moslem  areas  of  West- 
ern Asia  and  Northern  Africa,  we  stand  before  a challenge 
to  which  we  must  give  most  conscientious  and  unselfish  heed. 
Our  trusted  leaders  overseas  have  clearly  defined  goals.  They 
aim  to  establish  as  quickly  as  possible  self-governing,  self-sup- 
porting, and  self -propagating  Association  Movements.  As  soon 
as  may  be  consistent  with  the  proper  discharge  to  the  American 
constituency  of  any  financial  trust,  the  American  secretaries  are 
yielding  executive  responsibility  to  their  native  colleagues,  and 
are  assuming  an  advisory  role.  They  are  aiming  to  combine  or 
blend  the  best  experience  and  constructive  ability  of  the  European 
and  the  American  Movements.  They  are  encouraging  in  every 
way  the  assumption  by  the  World’s  Committee  of  larger  respon- 
sibility. As  soon  as  the  War  Fund  appropriations  have  been 
exhausted  the  work  will  be  taken  over  by  the  Foreign  Division, 
in  accordance  with  the  action  of  the  Atlantic  City  Convention. 
In  fact  the  processes  for  accomplishing  this  in  a natural  and  most 
helpful  way  have  already  been  instituted. 

Realizing  the  Vision  of  Cleveland 

The  intimate  collaboration  of  the  entire  Brotherhood  is  needed 
to  realize  and  give  effect  to  the  vision  and  findings  of  the  Cleve- 
land Constitutional  Convention.  This  means  the  laymen  and  the 
secretaries.  It  means  those  related  to  the  local,  the  state,  and  the 
international  organizations.  It  concerns  alike  the  principal  and 
its  agents,  that  is,  the  Associations  and  their  General  Agencies. 
The  organization  of  the  National  Council  must  be  perfected. 
Almost  the  entire  task  of  reorganizing  the  General  Agencies  ser- 

31 


vice  remains  to  be  accomplished.  There  is  also  the  most  difficult 
and  fundamental  undertaking  of  working  out  a new  and  ade- 
quate system  of  financing  the  General  Agencies.  This  should  be 
so  well  done  that  it  will  serve  as  an  example  to  other  religious 
and  altruistic  societies  which  have  a nation-wide  or  world-wide 
program.  The  processes  of  democratizing  the  Movement  should 
proceed  without  interruption.  In  this  case  we  have  begun  at  the 
top  and  have  done  well  so  far  as  we  have  proceeded.  Let  it  not 
be  said,  however,  that  we  have  a thoroughly  democratic  organiza- 
tion of  our  General  Agencies  in  that  we  have  made  them  truly 
responsible  and  responsive  to  the  Associations,  but  have  failed  to 
make  our  Movement  more  democratic  at  the  base,  that  is,  in  the 
organization  and  conduct  of  the  Associations  themselves. 

There  was  a phrase  frequently  used  in  the  Constitutional 
Convention  which  connotes  a vitally  important  idea,  an  idea 
which  must  not  be  allowed  to  fade  or  lose  its  power.  It  repre- 
sents the  honest  efforts  of  the  Brotherhood.  We  refer  to  the 
phrase  that  in  Cleveland  we  were  seeking  to  develop  a plan  by 
which,  while  retaining  the  independence  and  autonomy  of  both 
state  and  international  organizations,  we  would  have  what,  in 
planning,  in  practical  working,  in  spirit,  and  in  effect,  would  be 
tantamount  to  one  agency.  Only  by  frequent  conferences,  by 
united  planning,  and  by  constant  dependence  on  the  Spirit  of  the 
Living  God  can  this  idea  be  incorporated  in  practice  and  be  made 
a reality  in  the  consciousness  of  the  Brotherhood.  This  realizing 
sense  of  oneness  is  essential  to  securing  the  genuine  cooperation 
and  team  work  so  much  needed  and  desired.  The  governing  idea 
in  all  of  our  preparatory  work  before  the  Buffalo  Convention, 
as  well  as  during  and  following  that  initial  gathering  of  the  new 
National  Council,  she  aid  ever  be  held  in  prominence — the  thought 
of  rendering  a larger  and  richer  service  to  the  young  manhood 
and  boyhood  of  America  and  of  other  lands. 

How  Influence  Vastly  Greater  Numbers 

Has  not  the  time  come  to  draw  into  our  Association  member- 
ship or  under  its  influence  far  greater  numbers  of  young  men 

32 


and  boys?  In  the  matter  of  membership  our  North  American 
Brotherhood  is  almost  stationary.  Certainly  we  have  not  made 
the  progress  since  the  War  which  circumstances  and  conditions 
seemed  to  warrant  as  we  reviewed  them  at  Detroit.  When  we 
reflect  on  the  multitudes  whom  we  served  in  the  war  work  at 
home  and  overseas,  and  the  countless  new  points  of  contact  and 
influence  established,  there  is  ground  for  disappointment.  Our 
lack  of  growth  seems  all  the  more  disappointing  in  view  of  the 
fact  that  certain  conditions  have  been  favorable  for  a great  ad- 
vance. For  example,  the  continued  and  increasing  thronging  of 
the  youth  to  the  cities,  the  doing  away  with  the  saloon,  the  fact 
that  the  Association  has  so  greatly  augmented  its  resources  and 
facilities,  the  ever-widening  knowledge  of  young  men  and  .of  the 
most  effective  means  of  reaching  them,  the  prevalence  of  the 
spirit  of  service — all  these  and  other  conditions  with  which  we 
are  familiar  should  make  possible  the  bringing  under  our  influ- 
ence of  much  greater  numbers,  and,  what  is  far  more  important, 
the  bringing  to  bear  upon  their  lives  of  a genuinely  transforming 
influence.  It  may  be  questioned  whether  we  are  keeping  pace 
with  secular  organizations  which  tie  the  loyalties  of  young  men 
and  boys  to  other  than  the  Church  and  Christian  activities.  More- 
over, we  are  all  painfully  aware  of  our  failure  to  reach  and  hold 
the  youth  in  the  period  eighteen  to  twenty-five. 

Why  is  it  that  we  are  not  providing  a sufficiently  strong  and 
attractive  social  and  religious  challenge  or  appeal  ? Is  it  true  that 
the  local  and  general  agencies  leaders  are  giving  a dispropor- 
tionate amount  of  time  to  safeguarding  our  material  interests  and 
also  to  work  of  a largely  emergency  character?  Why  is  it  that 
some  of  the  buildings  we  visit  are  crowded  to  their  utmost  ca- 
pacity with  virile  and  aggressive  youth,  and  yet  many  others 
equally  favorably  located,  so  far  as  opportunity  and  need  are  con- 
cerned, give  one  the  opposite  impression  ? The  successful  experi- 
ence of  some  Associations  warrants  others  devoting  themselves 
more  largely  than  at  present  to  the  extension  of  equipment  and 
a community  type  of  work.  It  stirs  the  imagination  to  realize 
what  our  Brotherhood  might  accomplish  in  bringing  under  the 


33 


sway  of  our  ideals  and  of  the  divine  Personality  around  which 
our  work  is  built,  the  tides  of  young  manhood  and  boyhood,  were 
we  but  to  give  ourselves  to  stimulate  every  constructive  and  un- 
selfish agency  throughout  the  community  to  function  on  behalf  of 
our  program  for  young  men  and  boys.  If  we  lose  ourselves  in 
unselfish  abandon  to  help  every  worthy  agency  to  render  the 
maximum  service  to  youth,  we  will  find  ourselves  tomorrow  in 
the  larger  confidence  of  our  communities  and  of  the  Church  of 
Christ.  While  properly  and  wisely  it  is  inevitable  that  we  em- 
phasize the  quantitative  aspect  of  our  responsibility,  this  is  not 
to  be  interpreted  as  implying  that  we  must  not  with  even  greater 
force  stress  the  qualitative. 

Liberating  the  Lay  Forces 

Even  more  important  for  the  achieving  of  what  has  just  been 
emphasized  and  the  realization  of  our  ultimate  spiritual  objec- 
tives, it  is  that  we  address  ourselves  to  liberating  or  augmenting 
the  lay  forces  both  within  and  outside  our  Associations.  The 
laymen  of  this  generation  have  immense  latent  creative  power. 
Next  to  the  larger  discovery  and  appropriation  of  our  divine 
resources  this  constitutes  our  greatest  single  unworked  lead.  In 
too  many  Associations  there  is  totally  lacking  a definite  progres- 
sive program  for  calling  out  both  the  active  and  the  associate 
members.  With  the  increased  size  and  financial  security  of  the 
Association,  there  seems  to  be  a diminished  commitment  of  the 
membership  to  participation  in  the  unselfish  purposes  of  the  or- 
ganization. Unquestionably  the  growing  love  of  ease  and  luxury 
which  has  affected  so  seriously  the  life  and  activity  of  our 
Churches,  has  had  its  influence  on  our  work.  In  any  event  we 
are  called  upon  for  the  sake  of  the  life  of  the  Association,  and  for 
the  sake  of  the  cause  of  Christ  for  which  it  exists,  to  unite  our 
plans  and  efforts  to  enlist  in  service  a far  greater  body  of  laymen 
of  largest  possibilities.  Might  there  not  be  vital  advantages  in  a 
revision  of  our  Basis  so  that  with  membership  in  the  Association 
will  come  a real  sense  of  identification  with  the  Movement  and  a 
real  commitment  to  its  fundamental  purposes?  Full  of  living  con- 

34 


tent  as  our  Basis  is,  there  is  imperative  need  of  giving  larger 
Christian  significance  to  membership  in  an  organization  that  in 
these  days  bears  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Extensive  experience  along  the  pathway  of  the  continent-wide 
religious  emphasis  mission  demonstrated  the  need  and  advantages 
of  a better  listing  and  presentation  of  concrete  service  tasks.  It 
also  showed  the  value  of  special  dinner  meetings,  state  and  inter- 
state conferences,  and  retreats  for  the  purpose  of  widening  the 
horizon  and  calling  forth  the  sacrificial  devotion  of  selected  bodies 
of  young  men  and  boys.  There  is  nothing  more  certain  than  the  fact 
that  if  we  are  to  enlist  the  services  of  the  strongest  personalities 
we  must  confront  them  with  large  and  worth-while  tasks.  We 
must  challenge  the  adventurous  spirit  and  idealism  of  the  for- 
ward-looking young  men  and  men  of  middle  age.  The  heroic 
appeal  invariably  brings  the  heroic  response.  We  as  employed 
officers  must  pour  ourselves  into  men.  Let  nothing  deflect  us. 
May  God  help  us  to  master  the  conditions  which  so  often  have 
permitted  administrative  tasks  and  purely  material  interests  to 
keep  us  from  this  most  highly  multiplying  part  of  our  mission. 
Here  we  do  well  to  remind  ourselves  of  the  example  of  our 
founders  and  predecessors,  the  most  enduring  work  of  whom,  as 
we  can  verify  in  our  communities  today,  was  their  primary 
absorption  in  the  winning  of  individual  men  to  their  Lord  and  to 
His  cause. 

Give  Young  Men  Under  Thirty  a Larger  Chance 

In  this  connection  let  me  stress  the  urgent  importance  of  our 
giving  the  young  men  under  thirty  a larger  chance.  What  hope 
is  there  for  the  future  of  the  Young  Men’s  Christian  Associa- 
tion unless  we  soon  bring  to  a larger  place  of  responsibility  and 
formative  influence  on  policy-making  and  policy-achieving  the 
wonderfully  equipped  youth  of  a new  generation?  The  past 
twelve  months  have  given  me  an  over-mastering  impression  of  the 
need  of  giving  absolute  priority  to  the  Boys’  Work  in  connection 
with  our  comprehensive  program.  The  word  “priority”  is  used 
advisedly  in  its  war-time  connotation,  which  is  still  vivid  in  our 


35 


memories.  In  my  judgment  we  should  relate  to  this  part  of  our 
work  men  not  second  in  natural  ability,  in  culture,  in  training, 
to  those  related  to  any  other  part  of  our  work,  and  we  should 
safeguard  their  status  through  adequate  financial  provision  and 
other  means.  Of  equal  importance  is  it  that  we  enlist  the  best 
laymen  in  larger  numbers  for  tasks  of  leadership  in  work  on  be- 
half of  the  youth.  The  Boy  Scouts,  it  is  reported,  have  enlisted 
37,000  laymen,  all  above  average  ability  and  influence,  as  scout 
masters  and  assistants.  These  are  related  to  20,700  troops  with 
a boy  membership  of  448,000.  While  our  boy  membeiahip  is  not 
far  from  this  number,  how  startlingly  fewer  are  the  number  of 
laymen  whom  we  have  related  to  responsible  tasks  of  serving 
and  training  them ! In  all  this  work  of  augmenting  and  liberating 
lay  forces  among  the  youth,  or  those  who  are  older,  we  do  well 
to  introduce  and  apply  the  working  tests  such  as  those  set  forth 
with  such  helpful  suggestiveness  in  the  Report  of  the  Commis- 
sion on  An  All  Round  Program. 

Training  Workers 

Collaboration  with  many  of  the  leading  minds  of  the  Brother- 
hood and  of  the  Churches,  in  all  parts  of  our  field  at  home  and 
abroad,  has  shown  me  that  among  the  matters  of  greatest  con- 
cern must  be  placed  that  of  raising  up  and  training  workers. 
Here  we  have  in  mind  not  simply  the  point  just  dealt  with,  namely, 
the  releasing  of  a multitude  of  workers,  but  the  securing  and 
equipping  of  leaders  in  the  secretaryship  and  for  key  positions  in 
service  by  laymen.  Many  of  our  most  thoughtful  men  insist  that 
the  largest  and  most  critical  of  the  present  problems,  and  of  the 
future  as  well,  is  that  of  personnel.  True  it  is  that  the  stream 
cannot  rise  higher  than  its  source,  and  no  organization  or  move- 
ment will  permanently  reach  or  stay  at  levels  higher  than  those 
reached  or  occupied  by  its  recognized  leaders.  There  is  nothing 
to  be  gained  by  minimizing  the  existence  and  gravity  of  this 
problem,  or  by  allowing  ourselves  to  become  so  accustomed  to 
it  that  its  awfully  serious  implications  fail  to  move  us  to  more 
earnest  personal  and  corporate  action.  One  does  not  use  too 

36 


strong  a term  in  saying  that  we  should  become  alarmed  at  the 
slow  increase  in  the  proportion  of  men  of  broad  culture,  strong 
personality,  and  able  professional  training  who  are  entering  our 
ranks  of  leadership.  It  is  an  idle  dream  to  expect  that  our  Move- 
ment can  bear  the  weight  of  the  larger  responsibilities  which 
have  come  to  it  in  recent  years,  and  enter  the  doors  of  limitless 
opportunity  at  home  and  abroad,  unless  we  stop  admitting  to  posi- 
tions of  prominence  men  of  mediocre  ability  and  of  small  capacity 
to  grow. 

First  and  foremost,  we  should  think  out  afresh  what  type  of 
leaders  we  require  for  the  days  right  ahead — that  is,  the  kind  of 
men  who  can  grapple  successfully  with  the  problems  of  the  time, 
from  the  point  of  view  of  influencing  the  ideals  and  action  of 
the  new  generation.  This  will  determine  our  approach  and  our 
policies  as  to  preparation.  We  should  then  measure  every  agency 
and  method  with  some  such  test  as  this : “Does  what  we  do  here 
make  for  satisfactory  continued  growth  in  the  ability  of  those 
whom  we  are  enlisting  and  training?”  There  is  no  time  to  lose  in 
presenting  adequate  challenges  to  college  men  and  to  other  selected 
groups.  Possibly  the  time  has  come  for  a well-conceived,  quiet, 
thorough-going  nation-wide  effort  to  reach  the  men  we  need. 
Arguments  pro  and  con  readily  suggest  themselves.  At  times  my 
mind  turns  from  this  with  the  thought  that  probably  what  we 
need  is  not  so  much  the  launching  or  promotion  of  some  new 
scheme  of  enlisting  men  as  of  putting  vitality,  dynamic,  and  per- 
severance into  such  of  our  present  processes  as  have  yielded  us 
the  men  who  have,  as  shown  by  results,  an  evident  sense  of 
divine  mission.  On  my  recent  journeys  here  at  home  and  over- 
seas, I have  insisted  that  our  most  highly  multiplying  work  is 
that  of  multiplying  ourselves.  Is  each  man  of  us  a center  of  in- 
fluence for  raising  up  men  who  through  us,  or  through  processes 
that  we  institute,  hear  the  call  of  God  ? Do  they  give  evidence  of 
having  convictions  for  which  they  would  die?  Are  they  fired 
with  a passion  of  ethical  and  social  concern?  Have  they  com- 
municative evangelistic  zeal?  Do  they  literally  confront  men 
with  the  Living  Christ?  At  the  end  of  the  day  a colossal  respon- 

37 


sibility  rests  upon  our  Association  Colleges.  The  history  of  the 
Christian  religion  shows  that  only  as  there  have  been  veritable 
schools  of  prophets  has  the  cause  for  which  Christ  died  and  lives 
forevermore  made  ground. 

Our  Governing  Purpose 

Expressed  concisely,  the  governing  purpose  of  our  Christian 
Brotherhood  should  be  to  reveal  Jesus  Christ  to  men.  The  word 
governing  is  used  advisedly,  meaning  that  this  purpose  should 
dominate  all  that  we  do.  Expressed  otherwise  it  is  our  pervad- 
ing purpose.  It  should  permeate  every  process,  the  whole  life 
of  our  organization.  Every  road  should  lead  to  Christ.  Every 
phase  of  the  work  should  reveal  Him.  Reverently  let  it  be  said 
that  the  Red  Triangle  idea  should  connote  the  idea  of  the  Incar- 
nation. Notwithstanding  the  signs  of  returning  faith  and  life 
manifested  among  us  in  recent  years,  and  on  which  an  earlier 
part  of  this  report  dwelt,  is  there  not  still  need  among  us  of  re- 
pentance and  confession  of  sins  of  omission?  Let  it  be  reiterated 
that  the  startling  development  of  the  institutional  and  material 
aspects  of  our  Movement  has  resulted  in  our  boards  and  em- 
ployed officers  devoting  a disproportionate  part  of  time  and  atten- 
tion to  the  administration  of  properties  and  the  handling  of  large 
and  increasing  budgets.  Who  among  us  have  not  had  our  spir- 
itual vitality  sapped  through  failure  to  master  our  conditions  ? Is 
there  not  a tendency  in  some  quarters  to  substitute  mere  activity 
for  character  building  values?  There  is  need  of  going  into  this 
matter  more  deeply  until  we  find  and  demonstrate  the  spiritual 
in  all  our  program  rather  than  looking  upon  it  as  simply  a feature 
to  be  added  to  the  program. 

There  is  need  today  of  fresh  demonstrations  that  our  splendid 
equipments  and  our  more  highly  specialized  institutional  work  can 
be  mastered  for  religious  productivity  among  our  members. 
While  this  is  true  the  secret  of  accomplishing  it  lies  in  more  intel- 
ligent and  faithful  emphasis  upon  well  wrought-out  and  abun- 
dantly proved  processes  and  means.  For  example,  the  time  will 
never  come  when  there  will  not  be  need  of  vital,  progressive 


38 


study  of  the  original  writings  of  our  faith.  Recent  experiences 
reveal  a thirst  for  the  discovery  of  the  sources,  and  a desire  to 
drink  deeply  there.  Moreover,  the  day  will  not  come  when  we  will 
not  need  to  emphasize  the  personal  introducing  of  men  to  Christ 
as  a habit  which  in  every  age  has  characterized  those  who  have 
most  widened  the  limits  of  Christ’s  Kingdom.  Probably  there 
never  was  a day  when  there  was  a greater  need  of  wise  guides 
and  teachers  for  young  men  in  their  thinking  processes  with 
reference  to  essential  religion.  We  must  not  fail  them  here. 
Ours  should  likewise  be  a place  of  leadership  in  genuine  modern 
religious  education.  It  is  not  too  late  today,  but  may  be  tomor- 
row. We  have  had  no  adequate  recent  tests  of  the  boundless 
possibilities  of  evangelism,  presenting  an  apologetic  in  terms 
which  will  command  the  intellectual  confidence  and  following  of 
the  most  alert  and  enquiring  generation  the  world  has  ever 
known.  To  this  end  we  must  have  the  courage  to  go  forth  to 
enlist  the  greatest  prophets  of  our  day.  We  are  able,  as  Dr.  Cad- 
man  in  Brooklyn  on  the  Bedford  branch  platform,  as  Dr.  Fosdick 
through  Association  Press,  and  as  Dr.  Rice  of  Detroit  through 
recent  Association  visits  in  the  Middle  West  have  discovered,  to 
furnish  the  largest  platform  and  sounding  board  of  our  day  for 
reaching  young  men.  Our  religious  work  program  has  only  begun 
to  discover  possible  new  forms,  or  new  ways  and  means  such  as 
those  related  to  open  forums,  discussion  circles,  and  intimate 
fellowship  groups.  Summing  it  up  in  a word,  let  us  concern  our- 
selves chiefly  with  the  processes  and  forces  which  spiritually 
create. 

Closer  Cooperation  with  the  Churches 

If  one  man  has  done  so,  a hundred  men  have  emphasized 
the  need  of  our  bringing  about  more  clearly  defined,  closer,  and 
more  sympathetic  cooperation  with  the  Churches.  While  this  has 
been  accomplished  measurably  at  the  top  in  the  understandings 
at  which  we  have  arrived,  in  line  with  the  recommendations  of 
the  Detroit  and  Atlantic  City  Convention  Commissions  on  Ap- 
proach to  the  Churches,  there  is  admitted  need  of  efifecting  like 
understandings  and  practical  working  agreements  between  the 

39 


Association  and  Church  leaders  in  very  many  local  communities. 
A guiding  principle  is  that  of  our  responsibility  to  serve  and  in- 
creasingly to  work  through  the  Churches.  In  the  immediate  fu- 
ture we  should  busy  ourselves  in  collaborating  with  the  Churches 
in  adopting  accepted  standards  of  cooperation  in  local  fields. 
Granted  this,  much  of  the  misunderstanding,  opposition,  and  com- 
petition will  disappear ; otherwise  there  is  grave  danger  of  the 
development  in  the  cities,  in  the  rural  communities,  in  the  univer- 
sities and  elsewhere  of  parallel  inter-denominational  movements 
with  consequent  friction,  enormous  waste  in  money  and  energy, 
and  relatively  meagre  spiritual  results. 

Jesus  Christ’s  Way  of  Life 

In  an  organization  like  ours  which  aspires  to  serve,  to  fashion, 
and  to  lead  the  young  men  and  boys  of  this  and  other  lands,  we 
must  be  true  to  our  difficult  and  responsible  mission  of  helping 
them  to  know  and  to  follow  Jesus  Christ’s  Way  of  Life.  In  one 
sense  this  is  the  new  Evangel,  and  yet  it  is  as  old  as  the  time 
when  Christ  took  upon  Him  the  form  of  man  and  showed  Him- 
self unto  men  as  the  Way  as  well  as  the  Truth  and  the  Life.  We 
venture  to  say  that  there  never  has  been  a generation  more  anxious 
to  know  just  what  Christ’s  way  is  with  reference  to  the  problems 
of  personal  life  and  human  relationships.  All  leaders  of  young 
men,  and  notably  those  of  a Movement  whose  very  genius  is  to 
influence  the  ideals  and  practices  of  young  men,  need  to  be  alert 
to  discover  for  themselves  and  then  to  travel  at  any  cost  His  way. 
We  of  all  men,  and  those  we  gather  around  us  as  messengers  and 
teachers,  must  qualify  ourselves  increasingly  to  be  able  to  inter- 
pret to  young  men  and  boys  the  way  of  life  of  Christ,  the  Re- 
deemer, as  the  solution  of  all  earthly  ills.  There  is  personal  and, 
therefore,  social  salvation  in  none  other  name  under  heaven.  As 
our  Movement  touches  the  life  of  men  and  of  nations  at  so  many 
points,  embracing  as  it  does  in  its  membership  and  fellowship  all 
social  groups,  all  nationalities,  and  all  races,  we  must  press  at 
every  point  Christ’s  way  of  life  individually,  socially,  nationally, 
internationally,  racially,  and  likewise  the  mystical  union  of  the 


40 


soul  with  God  in  Christ  as  the  source  of  all  wisdom  for  any  truly 
sustained  spiritual  ministry. 

Let  us  lead  men  to  regard  with  alarm  and  contrition  the  vast 
chasm  which  exists  today  between  so  much  of  the  professed 
Christian  belief  and  the  present-day  practice  of  those  who  bear 
Christ’s  name.  Where  necessary,  may  the  Living  Christ  Him- 
self cause  our  consciences  to  tremble  and  become  afraid  because 
of  our  sense  of  social  injustice  and  neglect,  and  at  the  foot  of 
His  Cross  may  there  be  generated  the  spirit  of  heroism  which  will 
enable  us  to  overcome  fear  of  man  and  of  possible  consequences 
which  may  follow  in  the  pathway  of  being  true  to  an  awakened 
and  thoroughly  informed  conscience.  May  it  not  be  the  path  of 
wisdom  and  of  life  expansion  to  turn  our  boards  and  committees, 
and  intimate  groups  of  leaders  and  members,  into  open  forums 
for  facing  up  with  sincerity  and  true  responsiveness  to  the  social 
implications  of  our  wondrous  Gospel?  And  may  this  not  open 
the  way  to  help  our  members  to  understand  and  accept  Christ’s 
claims  for  the  burning  social,  racial,  and  international  questions 
of  our  day,  and  thus  build  up  a membership  prepared  to  accom- 
plish His  will  in  this  new  day?  Then  our  Brotherhood  will  have 
a voice  on  great  moral  issues  which  will  be  heard  and  heeded. 

Unoccupied  Fields  at  Home 

It  is  imperative  that  the  occupation  of  the  field  here  in  North 
America  receive  more  comprehensive  and  continuous  attention. 
In  the  matter  of  entering  new  fields  the  Movement  seems  to  be 
almost  static.  In  the  great  cities  where  we  have  our  largest 
work,  we  must  not  lose  sight  of  the  fact  that  the  Association  in 
the  addition  of  branches,  and  in  the  extension  of  its  services,  is 
not  keeping  pace  relatively  with  the  increase  in  the  population  of 
young  men.  When  we  ponder  the  strategy  of  these  great  cities 
and  of  our  work  in  them,  this  should  be  an  occasion  of  solicitude 
to  us  all. 

One  fact  about  the  small  cities  should  confront  us  and  that 
is  that  the  Association  is  organized  today  in  only  340  of  1,260 
communities  of  5,000  to  25,000.  The  unoccupied  cities  of  this 


41 


group  alone  have  in  them  possibly  2.000,000  young  men  and  boys 
largely  destitute  of  the  invaluable  character-building  services 
which  we  exist  to  render. 

Turn  also  to  the  Town  and  Country  field.  Again  let  us  recog- 
nize that  one  of  our  great  weaknesses  lies  right  here.  We  have 
actually  retreated  from  many  counties  to  say  nothing  of  continu- 
ing to  turn  our  backs  upon  innumerable  open  doors.  While  we 
give  united  thought  among  ourselves,  and  in  collaboration  with 
the  Churches,  to  the  discovery  of  the  most  effective  means  of  ser- 
ving the  rural  areas  already  occupied,  let  us  not  hesitate  in  a 
policy  of  reasonable  and  steady  expansion  of  our  service  along 
such  lines  as  are  admittedly  approved  and  fruitful. 

The  regions  beyond  for  us  in  the  ranks  of  industry  are  simply 
limitless.  Among  the  33,000,000  wage  earners  nearly  13,000,000, 
or  about  40%,  are  engaged  in  manufacturing  and  mechanical  pur- 
suits. If  we  are  needed  anywhere  surely  it  is  here. 

Relatively  we  are  seriously  neglecting  many  immigrant  groups. 
Think,  for  example,  of  the  large  number  of  Mexican  youth  in 
our  southern  border  states,  and  the  small  but  highly  significant 
Oriental  groups  on  the  Coast.  Particular  attention  should  also  be 
addressed  to  such  European  concentrations  in  our  great  cities  as 
the  Poles,  Russians,  Czechs,  and  Greeks.  Now  that  recent  legis- 
lation has  called  a lull  in  immigration,  there  is  the  possibility  of 
our  overtaking  in  some  measure  this  task,  the  accomplishment  of 
which  will  react  immediately  and  powerfully  upon  our  program 
overseas. 

There  is  still  a demand  for  a great  expansion  of  our  service 
along  the  railway  systems  of  North  America.  Moreover,  the 
work  with  the  Merchant  Marine,  which  abounds  in  living  interest 
and  which  has  passed  the  experimental  stage,  should  in  the  near 
future  be  further  extended. 

The  Student  field,  as  already  emphasized,  has  gotten  beyond 
us  owing  to  the  unprecedented  growth  in  student  bodies,  including 
likewise  the  high  school,  preparatory  school,  and  junior  high 
school  fields.  This  must  not  be  regarded  with  indifference  by 

42 


our  various  agencies,  as  is  too  largely  the  case  today.  To  this 
end  we  should  give  heed  to  the  eminently  wise  and  timely  recom- 
mendations of  the  Advance  Program  Commission.  The  Atlantic 
City  Convention  gave  a mandate  to  the  Student  Department  to 
make  a great  advance.  It  is  hoped  that  the  Associations  through 
the  new  National  Council,  will  make  possible  the  fulfillment  of 
this  instruction. 

Unquestionably  the  most  neglected  of  all  the  unoccupied  fields 
in  America  is  that  presented  by  the  colored  young  men  and  boys 
of  both  North  and  South.  Relatively  there  seems  to  be  greater 
need  in  the  South  where  the  records  show  that  there  is  only  one 
standard  building,  and  only  seven  secretaries,  or  an  average  of 
less  than  one  per  state.  The  northern  migration  has  pressed  this 
problem  acutely  upon  the  northern  Associations  also,  and  they  can 
not  wisely  postpone  grappling  with  it. 

All  along  the  line  in  the  Boys’  Work  the  challenge  is  to  move 
forward  with  daring  as  well  as  sagacity  to  occupy  the  field,  for 
the  one  convincing  reason  that  the  key  to  the  best  solution  of  our 
most  emergent  and  obstinate  problems  lies  in  bringing  the  youth 
of  the  country  under  the  sway  of  Christ  and  relating  them  to  His 
program. 

With  reference  to  all  these  and  other  unmentioned  areas  of 
need  and  opportunity  well  may  we  ask  ourselves  these  two  search- 
ing questions,  To  what  other  organization  has  the  Church  the 
right  to  look  for  the  occupation  of  these  fields  as  to  the  Young 
Men’s  Christian  Associations?  and,  If  we  do  not  occupy  them, 
who  will?  The  facing  up  to  these  questions  (and  we  shall  be  thank- 
ful ten  years  from  today  that  we  did),  will  lend  large  significance 
to  the  discussions  and  actions  on  financial  policy  which  must 
engross  the  attention  of  the  new  National  Council.  Any  plan 
entered  into  with  conviction  and  adhered  to  loyally  will  carry  the 
Brotherhood  and  will  save  our  Movement  from  missing  the  day 
of  its  visitation  and  settling  back  into  mediocrity.  If  a move- 
ment stops  growing  it  will  inevitably  suffer  atrophy. 

43 


The  Day  of  Our  Visitation  Abroad 
If  we  have  such  open  doors  as  these  on  this  North  American 
Continent,  what  language  shall  we  use  to  characterize  that  which 
confronts  us  on  all  other  continents  of  the  world?  All  the  con- 
tinents— we  make  no  exception.  Literally  the  nations  and  races 
of  mankind  look  to  the  North  American  Association  Brotherhood. 
And  what  is  solemnizing  in  the  burden  it  imposes  is  the  fact  that 
they  must  look  to  us.  Other  lands  will  do  their  best — Scandi- 
navia, Holland,  Australasia,  the  Mother  Country.  What  other 
land  of  Christendom,  save  the  United  States  and  Canada,  pos- 
sesses to  any  degree  of  adequacy  the  resources  necessary,  if  the 
Association  Movement  is  to  meet  its  day  of  visitation.  “Unto 
whomsoever  much  is  given,”  our  Lord  tells  us,  “of  him 
shall  much  be  required.”  Surely  much  has  been  given  to  our 
North  American  Fellowship — the  men,  the  money,  the  guiding 
principles,  the  program  and  methods,  the  momentum  of  vic- 
tory, the  vision,  the  corporate  sense  of  mission.  All  this  implies 
an  ever- larger  and  more  aggressive  Foreign  Work  program  on 
all  the  other  Continents.  It  demands  in  turn,  therefore,  a widen- 
ing and  deepening  of  our  home  base.  It  makes  necessary  the 
development  among  our  members  and  friends  of  a growing  sense 
of  world  brotherhood  and  inter-racial  solidarity,  together  with  the 
commitment  of  the  North  American  Associations  to  bring  to  bear 
on  all  human  life  and  relationships  the  unerring  principles  and 
omnipotent  spirit  of  Christ  Himself. 

In  Our  Might  and  in  His  Might 
An  irresistible  appeal  comes  to  our  Brotherhood  to  rise  in  its 
own  might  and  in  the  might  “which  He  supplies  through  His 
eternal  Son.”  We  are  living  in  a day  of  tremendous  issues,  the 
like  of  which  the  young  men  of  the  United  States  and  Canada 
are  not  likely  again  to  witness.  The  world  is  facing  many  and 
bafflingly  difficult  problems.  These  can  be  met  only  by  men  who 
like  the  Christians  of  the  Apostolic  Age  have  first-hand  experi- 
ence of  a superhuman  dynamic.  Truly  we  must  be  larger  men, 
more  far-seeing  men,  more  resourceful  men.  We  must  give  our- 


44 


selves  with  conviction  and  abandon  to  a program  commensurate 
with  modern  needs  and  requirements.  We  must  command 
the  cooperation  of  the  outstanding  men  of  our  generation.  None 
of  them  are  too  busy  or  too  important  to  bring  to  Christlike  under- 
takings their  very  best.  If  our  cause  is  to  move  foward  in 
triumph  we  must  be  in  most  intimate  cooperation  with  the  great 
Christian  Fellowship  established  by  Christ  and  His  apostles.  The 
hour  has  come  when  the  Association  must  take  larger  initiative 
and  move  out  on  more  aggressive  lines.  This  is  essential  if  we 
are  to  reach  and  hold  the  oncoming  generation.  There  would  be 
something  startlingly  incongruous  were  the  Young  Men’s  Chris- 
tian Association  to  lose  its  pioneering  spirit  on  which  it  has  most 
thrived  and  expanded,  and  to  cease  to  adventure,  to  set  prece- 
dents, and  to  be  truly  creative.  Before  it  is  too  late  let  us  pray 
God  that  He  may  raise  up  from  among  us  real  seers  and  pro- 
phets. May  He  give  unto  us  one  and  all  a new  and  more  vivid 
sense  of  mission,  and  may  He  use  us  as  we  go  forth  throughout 
the  entire  Brotherhood  to  kindle  in  the  lives  of  the  youth  of  the 
land  fires  of  personal  sacrifice  and  undying  devotion  to  the  sub- 
lime and  world-wide  program  of  our  Divine  Lord. 


45 


